In 1972, Tom received a blood transfusion that would change his life. Unbeknowst to him or his doctors, the blood was tainted with Hepatitis C. This occurred before blood supplies were uniformly tested for the virus.

For decades, Tom, a printer, and his family lived quietly in their native South Philadelphia, unaware that the virus was secretly damaging Tom’s liver. That is, until 1987 when Tom began to be bothered by carpal tunnel syndrome, and he consulted a specialist. Around the same time, Tom’s wife, Joanna, noticed his skin color had a yellowish tone, so they asked their doctor to order tests. It was then that they learned that Thomas had been exposed to the Hepatitis C virus and that his previous blood transfusion had been the likely source.

By then, the virus had done a great deal of damage. He also noticed that, over time, he was becoming more fatigued. Tom was referred to a Jefferson hepatologist, where he learned he would eventually need a liver transplant. Tom became a patient with Jefferson’s Liver Transplantation and Surgery Team. And so his journey of uncertainty began.

“Dr. Marino, of the Jefferson Transplant Team, was honest with me. I had a lot of scar tissue from previous surgeries. He said it was a like a cinderblock fence. My transplant, I believe, was one of the most difficult. I never doubted for one moment that I would not make it through. I had all the confidence in my doctors. I often think what might have been if I had not been so forunate to have Dr. Marino and the Jefferson Transplant Team. I am convinced that my outcome would never been achieved anywhere without the Jefferson Transplant Team,” Tom said in an interview two months after surgery.

Tom enjoys sports and goes to Phillies games whenever possible with his son, Tom, Jr., a graduate student at Penn State. He also likes to walk and reported “running for and catching” the bus for the first time recently.

“I’m feeling very good. The doctors are great. I’d recommend Dr. Marino to anybody,” Tom said. He also credits his wife and son, who have been by his side. “They’ve done a good job, especially my wife.”

Joanna agrees that family support is a very important part of recovery. “We made sure he was always up and never let him sit around.”