Local Magazine Publisher Facing Uphill Medical Battle

ALEXANDRIA, VA -- Local publisher and longtime area resident Mary Wadland is facing an uphill medical battle after a liver transplant, according to a GoFundMe page set up to help with medical bills.

Wadland, publisher of Zebra Magazine, needed a liver transplant after taking Tylenol for a toothache, according to the fundraising page.

Here's more about the struggle, from the page:

According to the American Liver Foundation, there are more people who need a liver transplant than there are donated livers. There are currently over 16,000 Americans on the waiting list for a liver transplant. Mary is one of the fortunate to have been able to be saved by a liver transplant. However, the costs are staggering. The cost of admission to a hospital for a liver transplant is estimated at $317,000. That's before they even start the operation.

Mary is currently at Medstar Georgetown University Hospital . It will be many weeks before she can leave the hospital. When she does, she will be facing a life-long struggle to keep the new liver working. She will need constant care for months before she can again live on her own.

Anyone wishing to make a donation can visit the GoFundMe page here.

PHOTO of Mary Wadland courtesy of GoFundMe page organizer