By Rebecca Goodman
The Cincinnati Enquirer

BRIDGETOWN - Daniel Hare waited patiently for more than three years for a new liver.

During that time, he went to school to become a veterinary assistant.

But Mr. Hare, who was diagnosed at age 22 with primary sclerosing cholangitis - a progressive liver disease - never got a new chance at life.

He died April 15 at Mercy Franciscan Western Hills at age 35.

"Dan's body couldn't fight anymore, and he died of heart failure," said his sister Theresa Hare of Hyde Park. He "fought so hard for so many years, hoping for a miraculous new chance at life. Rarely did he complain about all the pain he was in."

Mr. Hare's family wants his death to raise awareness of the need for donated organs, said his brother, Ken Hare of Bridgetown. If more people would sign an organ-donor card or check the box on their driver's license, people like Mr. Hare might get extra time.

"Dan wanted to be an organ donor himself," said his sister. "But because the liver filters out the impurities and toxins in all the body tissues and organs, they weren't able to use anything. He donated his body to science in the hope that someone will figure out what all went wrong in his body and, therefore, help spare others the agony that he lived."

His uncle Robert E. Wubbolding of Kenwood, who eulogized Mr. Hare, said: "He always wanted to give to other people. The ultimate giving was when he gave his own body for medical research."

Mr. Hare grew up in Bridgetown and graduated from Oak Hills High School in 1985. Before he was forced into disability retirement two years ago, he was a screen printer - producing boxes and stickers for Champion Screen Printing Corp.

He loved to fish, but he always threw back what he caught. He also loved to play billiards, build model airplanes, and spend time with his nieces and nephews.

In addition to his sister, brother and uncle, survivors include: his parents, Ed and Carol Hare; and another sister, Patty Eilers, all of Bridgetown.

Services have been held.

Memorials: Life Center, 2925 Vernon Place, Cincinnati, OH 45219.

E-mail rgoodman@enquirer.com