Holy Hands Help Raise Funds For Ken Tarleton's Liver Transplant

Dear Friends:

James “Ken” Tarleton is a 52 year old husband, father of four with a 16 year old child living at home and grandfather of one special little girl, who needs your help to stay alive. He has been diagnosed with liver disease. Ken is a Correctional Officer with the Georgia Department of Corrections. He has been working for the Georgia Department of Corrections. for 11 years.

Approximately 3 years ago Ken began having troubles with excessive swelling. He was admitted to the hospital 6 times in 12 months during the first year. All the tests came back good and all the doctors could figure is that Ken had Congestive Heart Failure. He has lived with this diagnosis for 3 years now. Just recently he was admitted to the hospital for reasons unknown to the doctors. After about two weeks, no results and Ken feeling better they released Ken from the hospital. Well, two weeks later he was right back in the hospital for more tests. Still no results. Finally, Dr. Pierdnock, Gastroenterologist, visited Ken and stated that she would like to refer Ken to Emory Hospital for a biopsy of his liver. She said that she thought Ken had Cirrhosis of the liver. Well, we knew Ken wasn’t a drinker and never was we were quite puzzled. But, we took her advise and made the trip to Emory.

While at Emory for our first visit. The doctor could tell just from Ken’s blood work that his liver wasn’t functioning properly. After speaking to Ken and more blood work it was confirmed that Ken had N.A.S.H. Non-Alcoholic SteatoHepatitis and possibly not Congestive Heart Failure at all. A bomb was just dropped on our world. We were then informed that this would take sometime to become really serious but that would give us time to do fundraising to prepare for the high cost of a liver transplant. Ken was told to work as long as he could to help keep himself feeling good and also that he had to loose 60 pounds before he would qualify to have the surgery. We are awaiting word from Emory regarding our insurance before he will be placed on the waiting list for a liver.

We have begun fundraising and are asking for your help with aiding us with the fundraising process by donations and volunteering. Any help you can provide at this time will ensure that Ken gets his liver transplant and can live a long healthy life.

Regards,
James and Karen Tarleton

All Funds are to be received through the