Victoria Woman Urgently Seeks Living Liver Donor Amid Rare Disease

A woman from Victoria, Canada, is urgently seeking a living liver donor after being diagnosed with a rare and incurable liver disease. Lori Roter, who has been battling primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) since 2017, has learned that her chances of receiving a liver transplant from a deceased donor are slim.

PSC is a serious condition that affects the bile ducts, potentially leading to liver failure. It impacts approximately one in 10,000 Canadians and currently has no cure. The disease can cause bile to accumulate in the bloodstream, resulting in symptoms such as jaundice, severe itchiness, cognitive difficulties, and eventually cirrhosis.

Currently placed on the transplant list in British Columbia, Roter faces significant challenges. Many patients with PSC struggle to rise to the top of the deceased donor list, resulting in lengthy wait times that can be fatal. The outlook for those in need of a liver transplant is dire, but there remains hope through living donor liver transplantation.

Appeal for Living Donor Support

The process of living donation allows a healthy individual to donate a portion of their liver, which can regenerate within four to eight weeks. Unfortunately, Roter’s family members are unable to assist due to age or existing medical conditions. She is now reaching out to the public for help, hoping her situation will not only provide her with a chance at life but also raise awareness about the pressing need for living liver donors.

“There are many people in need and deserving of a liver,” Roter stated. “In addition to seeking help, I also want to broaden awareness of the need for live liver donations by angels who meet the criteria and want to help save a life.”

To be eligible as a living donor, individuals must be in good health, aged between 19 and 55, possess blood type A or O, and have no significant history of cancer, with some exceptions for skin cancers. The evaluation process can take several months, requiring visits to a transplant centre in Vancouver, but support for financial resources and paid leave is available to assist potential donors.

Roter encourages anyone who meets the criteria and is interested in helping to contact the Living Donor Liver Program at BC Transplant. Interested individuals can reach out at 604-875-4111 ext. 66523, toll-free at 1-855-875-5182, or by email at [email protected].

Roter’s appeal highlights a critical issue within the healthcare system, as the need for live organ donations continues to grow. Her story serves not only as a personal plea but also as a broader call to action for those who may consider becoming living donors.