We continue our efforts to raise awareness for organ donation and registering to become a living donor.
Grant Deme, anchor and reporter here at 88.1 myFM needs a liver or his time will be cut short. Grant is critically ill with Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis.
He was diagnosed just three years ago. It came as a shock to those closest to him, like his brother Andrew Deme who was surprised that only 5,000 Canadians have PSC.
Going through a wait for a donor is hard on the patient’s entire family, their friends and the rest of their support system.
Andrew’s reaction showed much confusion too when they tried to understand why this happened to Grant.
One of the most difficult things that Grant’s family has had to deal with is the timeline. They all thought he had ten years before a donor would be needed, but that was drastically reduced.
Andrew like so many others around Grant, is getting tested knowing full well that being a match isn’t a guarantee. But there’s an upside to that too.
Andrew, who says he’d switch places with Grant in a heartbeat says he’s inspired by his younger brother.
Andrew, who lives in Edmonton speaks with Grant frequently sharing pictures and videos of his young son, Grant’s first nephew.
He also draws strength and comfort from his parents and sister who have been with Grant every step of the way.
The strength of the Deme family is evident as they search for Grant’s donor together, as one.
Grant is on donor the list for a liver. He needs a living liver donor with blood type O+ or O-, and is asking that you help by starting the process to see if you can save his life. You can begin the testing process to see if you’re a match by clicking here.
Over 1,000 living liver donor transplants have been done at Toronto General Hospital since 1990, and in each case every living donor has returned to health and their normal lives, while the recipient gets an opportunity to do the same.
If you can, please share Grant’s story through his Facebook Page, “Find Grant a Living Donor.” Just click that title and hit share.