Living Liver Donor Appeal

05/17/2026

https://www.gofundme.com/f/a-man-with-end-stage-liver-disease-in-need-of-support-s5zea

Please share this link is I am also in dire need of a living liver… Micheal Holst needs your support for A man with end stage liver disease in need of support

04/29/2026

Here is an article about Michael’s appeal for a living liver donor in the May issue of the Kitchissippi times.

Dive into our extensive resources on the topic that interests you. It's like a masterclass to be explored at your own pace.

04/27/2026

Organ and Tissue Donation Registration | Be A Donor https://share.google/bBcKAsgA3Kl9UpG63

A little light reading for how easy it is t register

Set up your own registration drive page to help spread the word about the importance of registering consent for organ and tissue donation.

04/24/2026

Please share.

Please share this link is I am also in dire need of a living liver… Micheal Holst needs your support for A man with end stage liver disease in need of support

04/10/2026

https://www.ckbhospital.com/blogs/liver-healing-signs

The liver's ability to regenerate allows it to heal from damage caused by alcohol, poor diet, or disease with proper care.

04/03/2026

My personal issue right now is with internal bleeding.

I have portal hypertension with a blood clot. I have a high INR plus on a therapeutic dose of anti coagulation. Large varices throughout my body in all my organs and esophagus, 100's. A fall, or a bump, or a cut would cause a hemorrhage.

Another thing is straining; if I lift too heavy or somehow strain myself could rupture a varices and cause an internal bleed, and not even know. On top of that I have an umbilical hernia that could rupture.

Tricky part is due to cirrhosis I have lost a lot of muscle mass in a few short months, getting out of bed is straining; I must do light daily exercise and resistance training to build it back up while avoiding straining.

•INR: watery-ness of blood, slow to clot normally
•Anti- coagulant: blood thinner to prevent another clot in portal vein (makes me ineligible for a transplant)
•Varices: like varicose veins but inside body
•Blood clot: was missed in CT scan but had repair itself in 3-4 months. Now broken vessel with clot remaining a new one can form.
•Umbilical hernia: cannot repair due to fluid build up in abdomen. It would just leak and rupture. Causes great pain and discomfort daily.
•Exercise: risky but necessary bc I need to be at my strongest to handle the transplant procedure

04/01/2026

Even before you are qualified to be on the donation list you must bee 100% compliant, and I am only on the list due to these factors...

Ahem, to qualify for liver donation you are actively screened for drug and alcohol consumption. If you fail a test, you then are disqualified for a donation. This amoung other compliance rules, such as taking prescribed medication, are in place to protect the few deceased livers that are available and to protect the rights of a living liver donor as well.

I believe that this is important for people to know, I myself, am sure glad that this pre-qualification exists.

The Toronto General Hospital has a 100% success rate with this type of procedure, and the would be donor goes back to living their lifestyle as they were pre-operation after 3 months at the latest. 3 months of your time will give me 30+ more years on my life.

-Michael Holst

03/29/2026

My Mother gave a succinct update. Yes it's been a tough week at the Civic Hospital, blood from chest cavity is now removed and I can breathe again. Every day I wake up is a good day. Life's worth living just need a LIVING liver donation to extend my life beyond my 30's. Take care and be well. -Michael Holst

03/25/2026

Please share: Living liver donor urgently needed. Michael has end stage liver disease and is currently in the hospital. He is having blood drained from his lungs. Hemorrhaging organs is a complication from liver disease. Michael has many more complications as well. The blood in his lungs is a new complication and shows that his liver disease is rapidly worsening.
- Kathryn Holst

Blood Types Needed: A-, A+, O+, O-
A healthy person between the ages of 16 and 60 may be able to donate a portion of their liver to save Michael’s life. Donors should not have diabetes, cancer, kidney or heart disease and should be a healthy weight for their height. The liver regenerates in 8–12 weeks, and the donor survival rate is nearly 100%.

If Michael finds a living donor, he will be removed from the deceased donor list, which will shorten the wait time for someone else. A living donor would be saving two lives — Michael’s and another person on the transplant waiting list.

Michael has autoimmune liver disease that is not alcohol related. His health has declined rapidly and he is no longer able to work or volunteer. Without a liver transplant, he has been told his life expectancy is about two years. After a transplant, Michael hopes to go on a long hike, camp outdoors, and return to work as a carpenter.

Donor Eligibility
● Overall health is evaluated, not just BMI
● Some people who are overweight may still be eligible
● Weight loss and reassessment may improve eligibility
● The transplant team evaluates liver health, metabolic health, and overall health

How to Apply to Be a Donor
Complete the health history form and provide proof of blood type. This form is the application and will ask for:

● Recipient Name: Kevin Michael Holst
● Date of Birth: February 20, 1991

Contact Information
Centre for Living Organ Donation
Phone: 416-340-5400
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.livingorgandonation.ca

You can ask questions anonymously, and all communication is confidential.

Please Share
Finding a living donor requires someone brave and generous willing to give the gift of life.
Thank you to anyone who applies or shares this message.

Health history form:
https://www.uhn.ca/Transplant/Living_Donor_Program/Documents/Living_Donor_Health_History_Form.pdf

Expenses and Support
Travel, food, accommodation, and lost income may be reimbursed for the donor and their caregiver (up to $6,000 each).

03/20/2026

Hello friends. There are additional risks when you're a little bit bigger, however your overall health is considered and not just you BMI score. Here is a quick summary.

Living liver donation with stage 2 obesity (BMI 35–39.9) is possible but uncommon and considered high risk. Most transplant centers prefer donors with a BMI under 30–32 because higher BMI increases the chance of complications like poor wound healing, bleeding, and infections.

A major concern is fatty liver (liver steatosis), which is more common with obesity. If liver fat exceeds about 10–15%, donation is usually not allowed due to risks for both donor and recipient. Because of these risks, a BMI over 35 is often treated as a contraindication, though some centers may evaluate individuals with slightly lower BMIs (30–35) more closely.

In certain cases, exceptions may be made. Factors such as having more subcutaneous fat (rather than visceral fat), low liver fat levels confirmed by imaging (like MRI), and successful weight loss can improve eligibility. Many programs require weight reduction and reassessment before considering donation.

Overall, the best step is to consult a transplant center, where a full evaluation of metabolic health—not just BMI—will determine eligibility.

-Michael Holst 🫶