‘Butts for Jeff’

‘Butts for Jeff’

Fundraiser to help with WM Assistant Fire Chief’s transplant expenses

ralphhardin@gmail.com About a year ago, West Memphis Assistant Fire Chief Jeff Jones learned that he was in need of a kidney transplant, teetering on the edge of stage five kidney failure.

“I hate to ask for anything; I don’t even like to ask for directions,” Jones said last July. “That is a lot to ask from somebody.”

So, even though he was hoping and searching it came as a complete surprise when a donor was found, and found close to home. Lori Wilson, who works with the Children’s Advocacy Center in West Memphis, just a stone’s throw from WMFD Station No. 1, saw Jones’ plight on Facebook and was moved enough to see if she was a match to help.

The first hurdle was the blood type and their blood matched up. That was some good news. Further testing sent Wilson away with a homework assignment.

“It is a several step process. Preliminary testing took about a month. At the end of that month we knew we were a match but my liver enzymes were too high. Then they told me I could not donate. They put me on a diet and I kind of figured they’d find someone else in the meantime,” said Wilson.

But the match was, indeed, a perfect one, and that put everything into motion.

And as a part of that process, Jones’ co-workers and friends are holding a fundraiser to help with some of the expenses associated with the transplant and recovery.

To that end, a special Corky’s Boston Butt benefit is underway, with pro- ceeds benefiting Jones’ transplant fund. For $35, take home a fully-cooked Corky’s Boston Butt. Butts will be ready for pick up on May 26, just in time for your Memorial Day Weekend festivities. Butts can be picked up behind Fire Station No. 1, 200 N. 7th St., in West Memphis, between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. on that day.

The last day to order a butt is Wednesday May 18.

Please contact Fred Thorne at (870) 514-1570 or Roger Lancaster at (870) 3946643 to place your order and help support this worthwhile fundraiser.

By Ralph Hardin