For several years, Jeffrey Firebaugh has been battling very serious health issues including Chronic Pancreatitis. The pancreas has been inflamed and damaged and continues to cause painful episodes on a regular basis.
Luckily Jeff has been selected to receive a TP/IAT at the University of Minnesota. A world class medical center, known for top performing pancreas specialists and doctors. This removal of the pancreas is his best chance for a return to health and to be able to enjoy life and the things he loves.
What is a PT/IAT, TP/IAT, TP/AIT? It is a Total Pancreatectomy with Islet Auto Transplant. Quite simply, it's a cutting edge surgery that removes the diseased pancreas of a chronic pancreatitis patient. The pancreas is sent to a lab, examined, and the islet cells that make insulin are retrieved and transplanted into the liver, enabling the liver to make insulin. In all, about a 14 hour process. 
Unfortunately, as is the case with most specialized medicine, the cost will not be cheap. If approved for the surgery, we will be required to live in the city of the hospital that performs the surgery. This could be anywhere from 6-8 weeks total, as this is a very intense procedure. It will be 2-3 weeks in the hospital, then a month in Minneapolis after release from the hospital. Staying in the city is a requirement because follow up appointments and check ups will be done almost every day post surgery. We are blessed compared to many, but unfortunately we are apprehensive about this financially and asking for help. 

50/50 raffle tickets are being sold to help with fundraising.
We are also holding a benefit concert at Old Farm Winery on October 8th

Thank you from the bottom of out hearts,
Cara & Jeff Firebaugh