Famed NHLer Ludzik in urgent need of liver transplant

Former NHL player and coach Steve Ludzik has been a Parkinson’s crusader for years now, helping others and raising awareness and funds to find a cure for the disease. 

Now, he is the one in dire need of help. 

Ludzik has been battling Parkinson’s disease since 2000 and has donated $60,000 to the Parkinson’s rehabilitation centre at Hotel Dieu Shaver — named in his honour — through the Steve Ludzik Foundation.

However, he is facing another battle now and this is one that could cost him his life. Ludzik’s wife MaryAnne has revealed on Thursday that her husband has Stage 4 cirrhosis of the liver brought about by primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), a liver disease for which the bile ducts progressively decrease in size due to inflammation and scarring.

He needs a liver transplant. 

“All things considered, he’s doing OK,” she said after posting her husband’s condition on social media. “He’s a fighter. He’s having difficulty with the fact he can’t do this for himself. He has to rely on someone else.”

Ludzik has been placed on a donor waiting list and so an appeal to the community has been made. Unfortunately, neither of Ludzik’s sons are a match. Potential donors must be O blood type and in good health. 

The former NHL player and coach has done so much for the community, we hope the community can now help him at this urgent time.