Raritan Woman Seeks Living Liver Donor To Give Her The Best Hope At Life

RARITAN, NJ — Donna Lapadula, a Raritan wife and mother of two, was diagnosed with a very rare autoimmune disease, Primary Biliary Cholangitis (PBC) 28 years ago.

Now, she is up against the clock to find a living donor as the disease has progressed to Stage 4.

"I was advised by my doctors at NYU that a living donor would be my best hope," said Lapadula.

The 61-year-old Somerset County resident said she was diagnosed in 1997 and for years managed the condition with medication and blood work.

The disease later worsened and now requires close monitoring, including monthly blood work, yearly endoscopies and evaluation by a transplant team.

Lapadula is also on the transplant list. However, each day she waits, she is getting sicker.

She described the toll the illness has taken on daily life.

"The exhaustion that comes with this is horrible," she said. "You do something one day and you hope that within a few days you’ll recuperate."

She also said the disease is unpredictable and that fatigue has been one of the hardest parts.

Lapadula said her doctors explained that the condition is an autoimmune disease that affects the bile ducts and can lead to inflammation and blockage involving the liver.

She said not everyone gets cirrhosis, but she did.

"I’m not a drinker," she said, adding that she dislikes the stigma attached to the word cirrhosis. "It’s an autoimmune disease."

An NYU hepatologist connected to the transplant team told her a living donor would likely offer the best chance because doctors do not want her to become much sicker before surgery.

She said the team has told her that acting sooner, while she is stronger, could improve her ability to recover.

People interested in seeing whether they may qualify are asked to contact NYU directly through information shared on the Lapadula's Facebook page and flyers. Or take the survey at openredcap.nyumc.org/apps/redcap/surveys/... or email LivingLiverDonorTeam@nyulangone.org or call 1-212-263-8133 option 4.

Lapadula said the process starts with a survey and may continue with blood work, a telehealth meeting for New Jersey residents and a full day of testing at NYU if someone appears to be a match. Eligible donors must be 18 to 59.

"They don’t have to pay for anything. NYU covers that," she said.

She said people who cannot donate can still help by sharing her page or posting flyers.

"You never know who’s gonna see it," she said.

For more information or to contact Lapadula, visit her Facebook page here.

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