ROSSIE -- Renowned North Country blacksmith John Scarlett of Rossie is in need of a donor for a partial liver transplant.

He has cirrhosis of the liver, an irreversible disease in his case caused by primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), an autoimmune disease that plugs the bile ducts, backing up bile in the liver, causing jaundice and death.

At 72, Scarlett is unable to seek a full liver transplant, but because of his good health other than the PSC, he is a strong candidate for a partial-liver transplant through the program at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore. That program has a 100 percent survival rate for donors and a 95 percent survival rate for recipients.

Family and friends have gotten together to spread the word, hoping to find a suitable donor. The donor must be under 55 years old, in good health, and have type B+/- or O blood. The donor’s liver regenerates completely within three weeks, but a no-work period for six weeks is advised.

“This is something that must be done by a person who simply wants and is able to help a neighbor. While all medical expenses will be covered by John’s insurance, John’s family and friends plan to raise money to cover any expenses a donor might incur through lost work or travel,” according to Scarlett’s brother Mark Scarlett.

John Scarlett is slated to be honored in October as a TAUNY traditional artist of the year. He has lived and worked in Rossie for more than 40 years. In addition to his blacksmith shop, he is known for his oxen teams, used in the production of maple syrup on his property.

Any person interested in helping should contact Mark Scarlett at 315-324-5240 or 6405 or via email at mascanoe@gmail.com.

He will provide information on how to contact Johns Hopkins for assessment as a potential donor.