Liver Donor Needed for Marine
Wednesday, February 02, 2005
Update: Commenter Tim provides the link (in the comments) to the story that the Marine received the transplant a few days ago.
I've gotten this one a few times in the InBox. This kind of donation request makes the others that I've posted pale in comparison...
United States Marine Corps
Press Release
Division of Public Affairs
Headquarters, U. S. Marine Corps
Washington, D. C. 20380-1775
Telephone: 703-614-4309 DSN 224-4309 Fax 703-695-7460
Contact: 1-800-338-6112
http://www.llu.edu/llumc
Media contact: Julie Smith, (909) 558-4419.Release # 0128-05-1304
Jan. 28, 2005
Help urgently needed for combat Marine veteranMARINE CORPS AIR GROUND COMBAT CENTER TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif.--A Marine veteran recently returned in September from a successful combat tour in Iraq only to begin a battle for his own life in the United States.
Lance Cpl. Christopher R. LeBleu, a native of Lake Charles, La., is currently in very critical condition in Loma Linda University Hospital, Calif., for an unexplained complete liver failure.
The Marine came back Sept. 9, 2004, from Iraq where he conducted support and stabilization operations as a rifleman with 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment. The month after his return to the United States, he married his hometown sweetheart, Melany.
The 22-year-old Marine is not expected to last through February, according to the attending physician, Dr. Kenney Ruh. However, LeBleu may recover if a new liver is found, added Ruh.
A liver donor is desperately needed to save LeBleu. Julie Smith, LLUH public affairs, said that the only thing needed for a liver donor is to have a matching blood type. LeBleu is O positive.
If you know of someone who could be a donor, we urge you to contact the transplant donor network immediately at 1-800-338-6112 or via the Web site http://www.llu.edu/llumc.