Marion's Pancreatectomy Surgery

My name is Marion and I have been struggling with pancreatic issues for about 4 years. It has gotten much worse in recent months, to the point where my only option is to have my pancreas removed. I have been seeing Dr. Freeman at the University of Minnesota, and my next step is to have a total pancreatectomy, along with islet auto-transplant surgery. This means that along with having my pancreas totally removed, they will transfer cells to my liver, enabling it to take over the job of the pancreas.

The islet auto-transplant surgery is the part that my insurance will not cover. The cost is $60,000 and I need to raise this money before they will schedule me for surgery. The longer I wait to have this surgery, the greater chance that these cells to be transferred to my liver will die. My doctor currently has me on high doses of Dilaudid to manage the severe upper abdominal pain, but even that is not a long term solution. In my current condition, I'm not able to live my life as I once knew it, and this surgery is now my only option.

I'm looking forward to the arrival of my second granddaughter in April, and my greatest desire is to be able to enjoy time with my family. My granddaughters are the joy of my world, and the sooner I can get this procedure completed, the sooner I can get back to enjoying my family. I'm trusting God for a miracle of healing. He is what keeps me going in this hard time. Even if you can't give financially, please keep me in your prayers that these funds come in as quickly as possible.

Thank you for taking the time to read this!

May God bless you,
Marion Duffney