George and Kathy Balakier have been married almost 35 years. 

"I love my wife," said George.​

They have a daughter, Meghan, who they raised in Chicopee. They were all very active in the community. Kathy represented the city as a Parade Marshal in the Holyoke St. Patrick's Day Parade and was a beloved science teacher in Springfield for three decades.​ 

"​I had the best job because I saw every kid in the school, how much better can that get," Kathy said.​

Aside from her love for teaching, she also enjoyed to travel. Kathy recalls one of her favorite memories of going to Ireland.

"Our house was full of life and we all did so much," she said.​

Five years ago, Kathy was diagnosed with a liver disease.​​

"And it's tough now when my husband and my daughter are taking care of me in a different manner," said Kathy.​

Her illness has progressed to the point where she is in need of a transplant.

​"With the holidays coming up, oh boy, wouldn't it be wonderful to have the cane put in a corner somewhere and be able to help my family with the festivities of Christmas," she said.​

Kathy's family isn't a match, but their Christmas wish is to find someone who is. She needs her donor to be someone in good health, between the ages 18 and 60, and has type O blood (negative or positive). This person must be willing to undergo a series of tests as well, but Kathy said the most important thing this person should have is "a real willingness to be so selfless."​​

The liver is the only organ which regenerates itself.​

"Two months their liver would grow back," said Kathy. "But it could give me life."

While Kathy is unable to do the things she used to love, her family is optimistic they will find a donor. ​

"She's young and we would still like to see the world and travel and do some things and we would really appreciate your help," said George.​