CT Mom of Three needs a LIVING LIVER DONOR

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

New Milford woman hopes to find a living liver donor

The critical news came over the summer. Cynthia(Cyndi Renna) Define has end-stage liver disease and must actively pursue a living liver donor.

Now time is running out for the 51-year-old single mother of three from New New Milford CT. Her hope for survival is in finding a donor match.

Define grew up in New Fairfield CT was diagnosed at age 13 with a chronic liver issue and an underlying autoimmune disease, now known as primary biliary cirrhosis(PBC)/ autoimmune. It is a chronic disease in which the bile ducts in your liver are slowly destroyed, causing the flow into the liver to become extremely compromised , scaring the tissue in the liver which then leads to permeant cirrhosis. Autoimmune disease is a condition in which your immune system mistakenly attacks the good cells and turns on the healthy tissue in the body, where normally its supposed to guard off germs and viruses.

With Cyndi's condition her body is not able to do that. Her body is not able to keep up with the fight much longer.

"Unfortunately with liver disease and the lead to cirrhosis our bodies won't survive without a healthy liver. The liver is a vital organ in our bodies, we take for granted on how hard it works for us. Everything goes through the liver. Its a very strong and powerful organ. It is the only organ when a portion of it is removed from healthy person(donors) body, that it can regenerate itself in(recipients)body . Just Amazing!" says Cyndi.

Because she was adopted months after birth there is no real health history to try to understand why she has this disease. At age 42, doctors told Define she had stage 4 liver cirrhosis.

“Unbeknownst to me at that time, I then was told what was chronic has now become permanently damaging. Over time this will cause my liver to fail,” said Define. "How long have you known you've had stage 4 liver disease", Dr. asked ? " I didn't until just a minute ago when you told me". stated Define.

The dire news dealt an astringent blow to the vibrant woman who relishes her family life and the career she loved and had to give up as a hairstylist due to her debilitating health condition. Friends and family watch desperately and helplessly on seeing her free spirit youthful exuberance decline more each day. Not knowing what to do for her they are very hopeful that she will get a better quality of life soon, through a living liver donor.

This illness had also caused a strain on her, mentally, emotionally and physically, resulting in the dissolution of her marriage-making her a single mom.

Cyndi being adopted a few months after birth and grew up in New Fairfield CT raised by “two amazing people who gave her a life" she says. Now find herself asking for another leash on lifes is difficult for this single mother of three, who is the one that's always there for others.

Her now late parents were her biggest supporters, Cyndi said. They were the people she trusted the most, relied on, where part of her support system “giving, caring, huge-hearted, selfless human beings” the people she could always lean on, define states.

Sadly, three years ago her mother died suddenly and her father died of a broken heart, Cyndi related. But because of these special people Cyndi grew up and still sees the “glass more than half full,” she said. I've always been grateful and blessed to of been given such a great life and be part of a caring family, with so much love to give. Adoption in it self is a selfless act of kindness. Her remaining family today is what she calls a true blessing. People she can always count on. "Family is everything". Define says.

Cyndi love to volunteered her time at a young age, she loves kids, great service oriented person, perused a career in the service industry as a hairstylist, a real people pleaser. Worked over 15 years in Ridgefield CT at a very prestigious salon and spa. She's a great listener, true friend, hard worker. This need for a living liver donor has put life as she knows on hold.

She wanted to become a mother from a very young age, it was not until her 30's when married, had her first child, it wasn't much then after having her third child, is when she found out she had stage-four liver cirrhosis. Then in her 40's, now in her 50's she is struggling with these major health issues still to this day.

But the last 10 years have been difficult and Defines health has progressively deteriorated, making everyday tasks difficult and tiring.

Her treatment is at Yale-New Haven Hospital, New Haven Ct. Now registered not only on the transplant list, also with the Living Liver Donor Transplant Center. Referral # 1-866-925-3897.

“The liver she was born with is failing her and she is not done living,” said her cousin Joleen Dennison. “Cyndi has been blessed with three beautiful children and it has always been her passion to actively participate in their activities.

She described Cyndi as the kind of person who derives pleasure from the enjoyment of others.

She wants to be present in her children’s lives, but her body is not cooperating," added Dennison.

Cyndi who is not the kind of person who likes calling attention to herself, has now found herself needing the help of others.

She is grateful for family and friends’ support and has called on them and now needs the public to help her find a match so she can have her transplant surgery to survive.

According to the American Liver Foundation, liver failure symptoms can vary widely from one person to another. Symptoms may begin slowly and gradually get worse, or they may occur suddenly and be severe from the start.

For Cyndi, there is overwhelming fatigue that makes her feel drained all the time even after a good night’s sleep. I had only been able to work a few days a week. Since COVID-19, I've had to stay at home. Most of all, I miss being active and being able to keep up with my kids and family life. I've been on a liver transplant list for the past four years. Now my doctors are telling me my best chance of receiving a liver transplant is to pursue a living liver donor,” Cyndi said.

Cyndi described her current health as mired in an unrelenting state of fatigue she barely has the energy to get out of bed at times. She has water retention in her abdomen and legs, suffers from severe cramping in her hands, legs, and feet, consistent in end-stage liver cirrhosis.

“It is very debilitating. It’s mentally challenging because your mind wants to do all the things you need to do, but your energy level is so low. You just mentally can’t get motivated at all.

She wakes up hopeful that sleep would make her feel better but instead the rest provides no recovery time. “You’re operating still at the same lower level than normal.” She says.

Liver disease is chronic and persistent. “It takes you down even lower than the average normal functioning person, you try to function at your new normal , then that changes, you struggle on finding your new normal” Cyndi continued. You don't even remember what it was like to not feel fatigued all the time. What your feeling seems to be normal then you realize your quality of life is being depleted each and every day.

Any energy she musters focus on family obligations. “I don’t go out or do anything, just important things, like . Dr appts., Blood checks, kids, pets, and dinner.” " When you have a good day you take full advantage of it". "Now all the energy I have goes into finding a living liver donor, asking everyone to share my story". Define states.

Define uses what’s left in her effort to find her own living donor. “Waiting on a deceased donor takes too long,” said Cyndi

“I have always seen my glass as more than half full, I don't take anything for granted. I love, give and appreciate anyone who is there for me, I don't ever ask for anything.

Now it’s my turn ask for those to help me and share part of an organ, for me, just for me, take a risk, give part of their life to and for me. It’s an overwhelming appeal and incredibly hard for me.” " To think that someone would actually go through this with me and unselfishly give me life again is beyond unfathomable to me. Yet she remains optimistic and hopeful, she continues on her search. " There are so many giving caring people out there just like me, I know soon I will have a better quality of my life back". Cyndi states.

Selfless acts of kindness, sharing others stories, saving lives, is all part of our human experience. Paying if forward can change someone's life in need. Sharing my story will not only save me, it can save countless others, just knowing there is this option give so much hope and promise.

Please Call Yale-New Haven Living Liver Donor Transplant Center at 1-866-925-3897 become a living liver donor today, mention Cynthia Define. 1-866-925-3897.

They will explain the donation process, the time it takes, expenses, and any questions you have. Just knowing there are options for saving ones life, educating ourselves, giving back is what life is all about. Call now, Everyone remains anonymous, Please also share her story.