11/16/2024
I’m reaching out with a heartfelt request that’s hard to put into words. We have been very private about sharing this personal cancer journey, but today we are telling our story in the hopes that our family, friends, neighbors and colleagues will help and share in their own networks…
My husband, Matt Catalanotto, is in desperate need of a liver transplant due to persistent liver metastases from Stage 4 Colon Cancer. The brief summary is that in August of 2023 during a routine colonoscopy, Matt was diagnosed with Colon Cancer. Within a few weeks he began Chemotherapy treatments. Imaging revealed the cancer had spread to his lymph nodes and his liver. After six months (17 rounds) of chemo, several rounds of high dose radiation, a surgical liver resection, and a surgical lower abdominal resection, Matt’s primary colon cancer has been removed. The cancer in the liver proves to be a challenge to fully eliminate through another liver resection. Multiple oncologists involved with his care have determined that a liver transplant is Matt’s best option for survival. For now, he is back in chemotherapy hoping to not allow the cancer to spread to other organs. We have a small window of opportunity to place a new liver in him while cancer is contained to only his current liver.
Unfortunately, the waiting list for a deceased donor liver is long, and time isn’t on our side. We’re searching for a living donor- a selfless person willing to donate a portion of their liver to save Matt’s life.
Here’s what’s important to know:
💙The liver is incredible and regenerates itself. A donor’s liver will grow back to its full size in a few months, and the recipient will also heal with a functioning liver.
💙To be a potential donor, you need to be between 18-60 years of age, in good health, and have A or O blood type.
💙The evaluation costs are covered by University of Rochester Strong Hospital and can likely be done in your local Metro area. The donor’s surgery, hospital stay and follow up bloodwork will be covered by Matt’s healthcare insurance. URMC can even help with Financial Assistance for donor travel, lodging and childcare.
The outstanding liver transplant team at University of Rochester Strong Memorial Hospital (URMC Strong Hospital: https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/strong-memorial.aspx ) has encouraged us to share this across our networks because there are people who are willing to do this and we hope you might be or know one of them. The transplant team will share all details on how to find out if you are a match.
My ask is this – if you or someone you may know are interested in learning more about donating, please share this post and call the Living Donor Coordinator at the URMC Transplant Department at Strong: (585) 275-5875 or message me directly for more details. Even sharing this post could help us reach the right person.
You can also find more info in the Health History Questionnaire. HHQ Survey link : https://redcap.urmc.rochester.edu/redcap/surveys/?s=J8LRXX3938HDJYMR
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for taking the time to read this. Your kindness could give Matt a second chance at life.
We know you are all thinking of us and the gratitude for that is more than we can even begin to express. Please continue to keep us in your thoughts and spread the word on our need for a living donor so that Matt can get back to his healthy and active life as a husband, father to our two daughters, brother, son and a friend to many (mostly golfers). We’re not ready to give up and we appreciate your endless support, thank you!
Love Always, Kim
