Forsyth Sheriff's Deputy Undergoes Liver Transplant

CUMMING, GA -- Forsyth County Sheriff Ron Freeman announced the "best news of the year" when he said Sheriff's Deputy 1st Class Drue Green underwent a liver transplant at an area Atlanta hospital.

Freeman said Green's wife, Kristen, reports the doctor was pleased with the surgery outcome. "Please continue to pray for acceptance of the donor liver and a quick recovery so Drue and Kristen can get home to their beautiful little 5-month-old daughter," Freeman said on Facebook.

Green served in the Army and was stationed in both Iraq and Afghanistan with the 3/160th Special Operation Aviation Regiment. While in Afghanistan, Green came in contact with something that caused a condition known as Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis, or PSC. PSC is a disease that ultimately causes liver failure. While the source is unknown, it potentially could have come from the air quality, the food or the water.
While Green has been doing well and keeping the disease and the symptoms under control for several years, shortly after his daughter’s birth 4-months-ago his symptoms worsened, the Sheriff's Office said. His doctor conveyed to him that a liver transplant was his only option.
Multiple people have volunteered to get tested as a possible donor match, but the testing process takes four to six weeks and can only be done one person at a time. Due to the progression of his symptoms and the severity of the disease, the doctors placed him first on the deceased transplant list.

Green and his family relocated in order to be closer to Piedmont Hospital, which will allow them to keep within the time constraints for when they are notified of an available liver.
The Sheriff's Office used the B.A.D.G.E. benevolent association to raise funds to help Green and his family. To donate, visit B.A.D.G.E.'s website.

The Sheriff's Ofice is hosting a fundraiser for the Green Family from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 23 at the Cumming Fairgrounds. To RSVP or learn more, visit the event page.

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