TABER – When Karen Hamilton found out Taber councillor Jack Brewin needed a liver transplant she felt compelled to do something.
It was only two years ago when Hamilton received a double lung transplant after being born with Cystic Fibrosis.
“I was laying in bed with one of my daughters who desperately needs her mom and I remember thinking there was no way I would have been here if a family would have not given me the selfless gift of my lungs,” Hamilton said.
“I want to do what I can for Jack to have that.”
Just last week, Hamilton started a Facebook page in hopes of finding a liver for Brewin. She said it’s unbelievable to see how many people have offered their livers, if there’s a match.
Brewin has been a pillar in the community of Taber for many years, always supporting the town. Hamilton says it’s now Taber’s turn to help him.
“When I was in that situation, the last thing I wanted to do was ask for your help,” Hamilton added. “That’s my goal in this is to say, ‘You fight your fight Jack and we will fight this fight.'”
Hamilton said the liver is one of the few organs that can be live-donated, due to the fact it will grow back. Brewin is over 6’4″ tall and the criteria for a donor is very specific; the donor must be over 5 ’10” tall, have a BMI under 30 and be between 18 and 55 years old.
“I talked to Edmonton yesterday and they said they had over 30 people respond in just two days but a lot of people are shorter,” Hamilton said. “We are pleading with people that are tall and fit these criteria with the blood type.”
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Brewin’s son did qualify as a donor, but unfortunately he was too small. Brewin is staying at the Taber hospital and his wife said he’s thankful and shocked for all the support.
“He’s overwhelmed and really happy that people are coming out and doing this for him,” Gilda Brewin said. “He could not be more happy.”
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