Chapel Hill, North Carolina – Playing catch in the neighborhood park may seem like a normal childhood activity, but for 5-year-old Hollis Linn of Chapel Hill, it represents the extent of her outdoor playtime due to a rare liver condition she battles. Hollis’s liver condition is so uncommon that it doesn’t have a widely recognized medical name, making her condition even more challenging for her family to navigate.
According to Hollis’s mother, Lindsey Linn, her daughter’s liver condition has caused her to develop an enlarged spleen, prompting the family to be extra cautious about the physical activities Hollis can engage in to avoid any potential health risks. The uncertainty surrounding Hollis’s condition has not only impacted her daily life but has also affected her family on an emotional level. Hollis’ father, Jeff Linn, expressed the difficulty of having to explain to her elementary school’s physical education teacher that she couldn’t participate in activities like other children her age.
The Linns have undergone rounds of genetic testing but have yet to identify a specific cause for Hollis’s condition. Her health issues first became apparent when she was born with jaundice, leading to further medical investigations and a long period of monitoring her condition as it gradually progressed over the past five years.
Currently, Hollis is on a waitlist for a liver donor, as her condition has made simple activities like running and sitting cross-legged challenging for her. Despite the difficulties, the family remains hopeful, especially as they navigate the possibility of a living donor being a potential match for Hollis, offering them more certainty and control over the transplant process than waiting for a deceased donor.
Living organ donation provides donors with the opportunity to directly designate who will receive their organ, offering a more predictable timeline for the transplant process compared to waiting on a deceased donor list. The prospect of a living donor giving Hollis a new lease on life has brought a sense of hope and gratitude to the Linn family as they continue their search for a suitable match.
The possibility of a liver transplant for Hollis represents a life-changing event not just for her but for her entire family. The potential for a living donor to provide Hollis with a healthy liver and improve her quality of life underscores the profound impact of organ donation on individuals and their loved ones. For more information on how to potentially become a donor specifically for Hollis, interested individuals can reach out to the designated contact number provided in the article.
As the Linn family navigates the complexities of Hollis’s condition, they remain grateful for the support and understanding of their community, highlighting the importance of organ donation in giving individuals like Hollis a chance at a healthier and happier future.