Pleasanton Dad Fighting For Life Needs Live Liver Donor

PLEASANTON, CA — A Pleasanton man is fighting for his life in a treatment room at the Mayo Clinic where he is undergoing chemo and radiation for a rare form of liver cancer. He's waiting for a live liver donor who can save him.

Phil Herlich, a software engineer, was not feeling well around the holidays and at the urging of his doctor, went to the local emergency room for testing where doctors discovered a mass in his bile duct. After enduring a barrage of tests and scans, the results were heartbreaking. Herlich was diagnosed with Cholangiocarcinoma.

Doctors at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota, the only place in the world that has had success in treating this type of cancer, told Herlich and his wife, Stephanie, that he needs a liver transplant. The 52-year-old Dublin native and father of two, is now on the United Network for Organ Sharing transplant list waiting for a liver donation that will probably not arrive in time.

"The search is on for a live liver donor as that really is the best option," Stephanie told Patch. "Unfortunately, a deceased donor could take two to three years and if the cancer spreads then he is no longer eligible for the transplant."

Stephanie says they are now desperately searching for a viable donor candidate for her husband. They hope his story will be shared far and wide so they have a chance at finding the right match in time. Those interested may fill out an online questionnaire to see if they might qualify to help save Herlich. Fill out the questionnaire here.

A friend has set up a donation page to help the family pay for the costs associated with treating the disease and finding a cure. The page has garnered about $3,800 since it was created. Donate to the family here.

Herlich is documenting about his battle in an eloquent and painfully honest online journal. Follow Herlich’s journey here.

Photo courtesy Herlich family