Kenny Clark, a resident of Berlin, Wisconsin, experienced serious health issues in March 2024 when he noticed swelling in his legs and abdomen along with fatigue. After visiting the emergency department at ThedaCare Medical Center-Berlin, he was diagnosed with cirrhosis of the liver with ascites.
Cirrhosis causes severe scarring of the liver and can lead to fluid buildup in the abdomen, discomfort, and shortness of breath. In advanced cases like Clark’s, a liver transplant may be necessary.
Clark’s wife Michele described their reaction to the diagnosis: “It was a shock. I could not believe it as Kenny always seemed so healthy and strong,” she said. “I was also a little frustrated because he never went to the doctor, he didn’t have a primary care provider and maybe we could have caught the condition sooner if he had. But then we switched into fight mode, ready to figure out what we needed to do to get Kenny healthy again.”
The couple has supported the ThedaCare Family of Foundations for about ten years. Michele has served on its board since 2017 and is currently President.
After his diagnosis, Clark was referred by Dr. David Budde from ThedaCare to see a liver specialist at Froedtert and the Medical College of Wisconsin. At that time, ThedaCare and Froedtert were merging operations.
In April 2024, Clark learned that he would need a liver transplant. According to data from the American Liver Foundation, there were over 11,000 liver transplants performed in the United States in 2024 (https://liverfoundation.org/for-patients/about-the-liver/liver-transplant/).
Before being listed for transplantation, Clark underwent several assessments but faced complications when hospitalized for hepatic encephalopathy—a condition where toxins affect brain function due to poor liver filtration—in May 2024.
Michele recalled calling an ambulance during this episode: “They took him to ThedaCare Medical Center-Berlin. The same emergency doctor that diagnosed him was on duty so he was familiar with Kenny’s situation. Kenny needed to be transported to Froedtert Hospital in Wauwatosa.”
Following treatment and further testing, Clark was added to the transplant waiting list while remaining hospitalized through late May 2024.
He received news of an available donor on June 2 and underwent successful liver transplantation two days later. However, kidney failure soon followed; despite hopes that improved liver function would help his kidneys recover, it did not resolve the issue. In January 2025, Clark received a kidney donation from his sister.
Now retired and enjoying outdoor activities such as hunting and fishing again, Clark says: “Outside of having to be on anti-rejection medication for the rest of my life, everything is great,” he said. “I am retired and enjoy doing things that I want to do like hunting, fishing, working outside and traveling.”
Both Clarks emphasized lessons learned from their experiences navigating complex health challenges: “Listen to your body, start a health care relationship with a primary care provider and listen to your care providers,” Kenny said. “Also consider organ donation. I was not an organ donor prior to this but I certainly am now.”
Michele added: “It’s about providing that much-needed support for others within our community ensuring everyone has access to important care much like Kenny did,” she said. “Beyond that I remember how I felt when I heard my diagnosis. Knowing that you do not have to battle alone is huge. Having that support – financial emotional spiritual physical – means everything.”
This story is part of an ongoing series highlighting donors who support projects across ThedaCare through its Family of Foundations.
