Two years and nine months: that's how long Karen Stacey has been on the waiting list for a liver transplant.

Despite the obvious stress experienced as well as impact on her day-to-day health, Stacey, 50, has not only stayed patient, she's stayed positive, dedicating herself to helping others facing a similar diagnosis with a liver disease. From family members to her community, Stacey has always been active in helping others. In 2008, she took her community activism to the next level by founding the Happy Liver Society, a non-profit providing advocacy and support services to liver disease patients. "I've always been that person that looks after people . . . It just is a comfortable role for me," she says.

Stacey's positive outlook is also helping her cope with news received from her doctor last week. An ultrasound of her liver suggests her health has experienced a further decline.

Stacey isn't alone in her experience. According to statistics from B.C. Transplant, there's a chronic shortage of hearts, lungs, kidneys and livers for transplant in B.C. As of April 5, there were 30 people waiting for a liver and 394 waiting for transplants overall. In 2010, 53 liver transplants from both living and deceased donors were performed and 295 transplants overall. Some organs are lost because families are unaware of their loved one's wishes and many people die while waiting for a transplant.

"It's sort of like walking on a very raser-sharp line," says Stacey, of her experience on the waiting list.

On Saturday, May 7, community members are invited to show support for the Happy Liver Society at two Show and Shine events held at Save-On-Foods' Park & Tilford and Pemberton Avenue locations. A Vancouver resident, Stacey worked for 15 years with Save-On and for seven at the Park & Tilford store in the floral department. She was a popular employee and staff were sad to see her be forced to take medical leave two years ago due to the progression of her illness.

Randy Nerling, assistant store manager, says they're happy to be supporting Stacey. "This society that she's put together in her situation obviously is something we just want to get behind to support her in," he says, adding it's important for them, from a business perspective, to show support to and get involved in their community as a whole.

Stacey was diagnosed with hepatitis C in 2004. Until that point, she'd led an active, healthy life. Upon the appearance of symptoms, doctors pinpointed the cause of her illness: a contaminated blood transfusion received when she was 16. Stacey received financial compensation for the error and opted to put it to good use, launching the Happy Liver Society and Stacey House, a one-bedroom condo near Vancouver General Hospital, for use by patients and families recovering from liver transplants. Guests are charged only $25 a night. Approximately

100 people have made use of Stacey House since its inception. "At some point I'd like to see it be a larger building," says Stacey.

In addition to the operation of Stacey House, the Happy Liver Society works to educate the public about the importance of getting tested for various diseases of the liver, as well as hepatitis prevention. According to the Canadian Liver Foundation, hepatitis A and B can be prevented by vaccine but no vaccine exists for hepatitis C, which is the leading cause of liver transplants in Canada.

The society also works to fight some of the stigma attached to liver disease. "They believe it to be all drug addicts and alcoholics and that is not even close to being true," says Stacey. The foundation reports that while stereotypically liver disease is linked to alcohol and drugs, in reality there are more than 100 forms caused by a variety of factors and it affects people of all ages. Additional causes include viral hepatitis, obesity, genetics, autoimmune disorders and cancer.

While Stacey initially felt anger at what happened to her, now she feels it happened for a reason. "I believe that I was meant to do something and I believe that the Happy Liver Society and Stacey House is exactly what I was supposed to do. I was supposed to help people. There's a great need for it," she says.

The Show and Shine events will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. In addition to the display of antique and vintage vehicles, they'll feature live entertainment and a barbecue. Cost to register a car at either location is $20.

Stacey hopes to be able to make it out to the festivities tomorrow. "I never know from day to day how I'm going to feel," she says. "Hopefully I'm okay. I sure hope so, because you know what? I've got so much to do. I don't like being sick, I'm the worst sick person because I don't like laying around. I don't like not being able to do things. I have projects that I'm working on for the Happy Liver Society constantly. I'd like to be back working at Save-On. I've had eight years of my life sucked away from me and I want it back. I think it's time."

For information on the society, visit www.happyliversociety.org and for B.C. Transplant, visit www.transplant.bc.ca.

emcphee@nsnews.com