Vermont News Guide

Beloved local resident Bonnie Kilburn, of Dorset, Vermont, was diagnosed with Primary Billary Cirrhosis (PBC) in 2002. PBC is a rare liver disease in which the bile ducts in the liver are slowly destroyed. In PBC, the destruction of your bile ducts can cause harmful substances to build up in your liver and sometimes lead to irreversible scarring of the liver tissue (cirrhosis). Because no cure exists for PBC, treatment focuses on slowing the progress of the disease , relieving symptoms, and preventing complications. When treatments no longer control PBC and the liver begins to fail, a liver transplant is needed to prolong life. People with PBC who receive a liver transplant often do very well.

Bonnie’s PBC has progressed to the stage that the liver has failed and a liver transplant is needed to save her life. Bonnie, along with her family, has decided to relocate to Jacksonville, Florida, to become a patient at the MAYO Clinic. Bonnie is currently a patient at Mass General Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts while she awaits a bed to open in Jacksonville. As soon as she is stable enough to fly, and a bed opens she will be flown via medical flights to Jacksonville to await a transplant.

Please join us on February 11 at the Eagles club in Manchester, Vermont to help raise funds to aid the family in their relocation expenses and any medical expenses. The benefit will kick off at 4 p.m., with a silent auction lasting until 6 p.m. From 6 to 11 p.m. you can enjoy a potluck supper (please bring a dish to share) along with dancing.

If you would like to make a donation to the silent auction or have any questions, please email benefitforbonnie@yahoo.com. If you are unable to attend, monetary donations may be mailed to Peoples United Bank, c/o Bonnie Kilburn Transplant Fund, 4993 Main Street, Manchester Center, VT 05255. You can also visit on Facebook Benefit for Bonnie page.