The Official Newspaper for Foster County
The Official Newspaper for Foster County
Danielle McClean, upper left, is pictured with her children, Lexi and Macee, along with her son, Cody, and his wife, Sariah. McClean has been battling cirrhosis since December, 2020, and is in need of financial assistance to help pay for costs associated with a liver transplant. (Courtesy photo)
Danielle (Wickline) McClean tries her best to put on a brave face to the world, even when the pain and fatigue can be overwhelming.
The divorced mother of three from Carrington is on a waiting list for a liver transplant, as she was diagnosed with cirrhosis in December, 2020.
"We didn't know she was getting a transplant until about the end of July," her daughter, Lexi, said. "We just found out she got put on the UNOS [United Network for Organ Sharing] list for possible recipients."
McClean explained that her form of cirrhosis is non-alcohol related, and is a hereditary disease that causes scar tissue to build up around the liver.
"My dad died from cirrhosis when I was 13," Danielle said. "He was working as a factory worker in Ohio, but we never determined that his work was the cause of it. That was 33 years ago."
She has worked at Thrivent since mid-2021, and her associated symptoms have often caused her to call in sick or work less hours behind the desk.
"Between the medications and dizziness, I've been tired a lot of the time," McClean said. "There've been a lot of trips to Mayo [Clinic] and missed work. Also, it gets hard to breathe."
McClean estimates that the financial costs of the transplant itself are expected to be at least $400,000, meaning any assistance the community can help to provide is crucial.
She travels to Bismarck once a week for thoracentesis to drain fluid from her lungs, and also undergoes paracentesis locally when the fluid is on her stomach.
Danielle's daughter, Lexi, is the point of contact for monetary donations to cover her medical expenses, and a Spaghetti Feed and Silent Auction will be held at Calvary Baptist Church Saturday, September 30, at 5 p.m.
Free will donations will be accepted for the spaghetti dinner, and Lexi says there is still time to offer items for the silent auction up to the date of the event.
All proceeds from the feed and auction will help defray costs associated with medical expenses and time off from her work at Thrivent while she awaits the transplant.
Danielle has three children, Cody (married to his wife, Sariah), Macee, and Lexi.
If you have any other questions on the event, or seek to give a donation, call Lexi McClean at 649-6345, Danielle at 650-8790, or the Carrington Thrivent office at 652-1250.
There is also an account set up at Bank Forward for donations.
