MJHS set for walk-a-thon in honor of local transplant patient

MJHS set for walk-a-thon in honor of local transplant patient

Radio personality Shirley Strawberry to host Floyd Holmes benefit

Natl. Found. for Transplants MARION – In 2013, Floyd Holmes, of Turrell, was diagnosed with renal cell carcinoma, which runs in his family. When he underwent a partial nephrectomy, he learned his right kidney was very small and that he’d likely need dialysis in the future because of the years he had spent battling diabetes. Eventually, his kidney function began to decline, and he was diagnosed with endstage renal disease in 2015.

Doctors say a kidney transplant is critical. While awaiting his transplant, Holmes, 54, endures 9-hour dialysis treatments at home every night. The average kidney transplant costs approximately $335,000. And that’s only the beginning. Even with health insurance, which will cover the cost of the transplant, he faces significant expenses related to the surgery. For the rest of his life, he will need follow-up care and daily anti-rejection medications. Post-transplant medications are very expensive, and they’re as critical to his survival as the transplant itself. For fundraising expertise and guidance, Holmes turned to the National Foundation for Transplants (NFT) for assistance. NFT is a nonprofit organization based in Memphis, Tenn. that helps patients offset their transplantrelated expenses through their community-based fundraising program.

“My heart goes out to Floyd and his family,” said Samantha Palazolo, NFT fundraising consultant. “I know this is a hard time, and that he wants nothing more than to once again be healthy and active. At NFT, we want to help him raise the funds he needs to afford his lifesaving treatment and care.”

To help offset his expenses, volunteers and loved ones are holding a walk-a-thon on Saturday, Sept. 10 at Marion Junior High School.

The event will begin at 9 a.m. and will be hosted by radio personality Shirley Strawberry, co-host of The Steve Harvey Morning Show. Registration is $25/person and $15 for children 10 and under, and the registration fee will include a tee-shirt and refreshments.

For more information, please contact Marlon Canady at 501650-9925 or marlon.canady@yahoo.com.

From Emily Joyner