My good friend and member of my church Everett Mace needs a life saving surgery of a heart and kidney transplant. Everett is a powerful, positive force who touches the life of everyone he meets. He was dedicated to his job as a special educator, and touched the lives of many young people with disabilities. 

We are asking for funding to help to cover the cost of his anti rejection medications. Due to the costs associated with this surgery, he cannot be placed on the donor list until he has secured some of the funding so it is important that we raise these funds as soon as possible. 

Please help this selfless and kind person to receive the surgery he needs to save his life.                                                     --Rev. Annie D. Parker

You can read more on Everett's story below in his own words: 

My name is Guy Everett Mace Jr. and I would like to share my story with you.  

I am currently trying to get on the heart and kidney transplant list at the Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio.  I have the following medical problems which led to my termination of employment with my employer who was very kind to me but we reached the agreement that I could not continue remaining employed with them as of November 21, 2017.  My health conditions and events follow:
- End stage renal failure with kidney dialysis (January 10, 2017)
- Three heart attacks (October 2016, May 2017, and July 2017)
- Five cardiac stints placed (three in October 2016, one in March 2017, and one in May 2017)
- Wore a life vest from July 2017 to February 2018
- Received a pacemaker and defibrillator in February 2018
- Diagnosed with enlarged spleen and liver in March and April 2018
- Diagnosed with diabetes and Psoriatic Arthritis in 1992
- Had reconstructive surgery (cadaver bone and titanium brackets) to C-7 vertebrae on my neck
- I have low platelet levels in my blood
- I'm currently on the Ohio State kidney transplant (inactive) list.

In 2015, I was diagnosed with renal insufficiency which continued to worsen each year.  Due to the fantastic care of Dr. Derrick  Latos of Wheeling Nephrology and Associates, I kept myself off of Dialysis while continuing to work at my job.  During a heart cauterization in October 2017, I had my first heart attack on the table.  Subsequently I had my second and third heart attacks in May 2017 and July 2017.  On January 10, 2017, I started kidney dialysis for my end stage renal disease and continued to work at my job.  In February 2017, cardiac rehab was added (the first of three times I would be in rehabilitation based on having heart attacks and having to stop for a while.)  From January 10, 2017 to June 9, 2017, I continued to work full time and do both kidney dialysis (Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays) and cardiac rehab (Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays) six days a week.  I was then instructed to take Family Leave and vacation until November 21, 2017 when I had applied for partial disability with OPERS because my health kept me from doing my job.

At that time and currently I am unable to go back to work even though I have been doing everything medically suggested to make that happen.

I wore a life vest recommended by any cardiologist from July 2017 until February 2018 at which time I had a surgical procedure to install a pacemaker and defibrillator into my chest.  I have also been completing assessments to get on the heart transplant list as I was informed by my doctor that I cannot receive a transplanted kidney without receiving a transplanted heart.

Through this whole process I applied for Social Security benefits that I had paid into for the past twenty-six years and I was denied because of a technicality.  I have received Medicare parts A and B while keeping COBRA benefits from my past employer.  Currently, the American Kidney Foundation takes care of my premiums, but my COBRA benefits end in June 2019 and I will have to find a second insurance. I have been denied social security cash benefits due to a technicality leading the Social Security Office to tell me "that's my bad luck." I am currently in the appeal process asking for a hearing.

After paying into  a system for twenty-six years and being denied benefits by the social security system, I was told by the OSU Cardiac transplant team I needed to show how I was going to pay for my part of the transplant which includes: organ transplant rejection medicine for both heart and kidney, lodging and travel during the surgery and aftercare which will be up to two years or more. I live in West Virginia approximately three hours from Columbus, OH.

I have already incurred numerous medical, travel  and miscellaneous expenses since my health problems have taken hold of my daily life. Although it is a difficult decision for me I am listening to my Cardiac Transplant Teem and seeking help through this Go Fund Me Account. 

I am in a financial difficulty of approximately the thousand dollars and need approximately five thousand dollars a year for medical issues related to the transplant aftercare, I am eligible for social security in 2022.  

I have friends who also encouraged me to do this and the have kindly agreed to assist me with the technology part of this process. 

I am humbled by this experience and hope to be able to work again sometime. 

In over thirty years as a School Psychologist, Special Education Coordinator, Special Education Director, and Director of Children Services I have served children and adults with special needs. I am on the local Victims Assistance Board and faithfully served my church for the past thirty years as an elder, deacon and Clerk of Session.

I believe caring, kindness, and helping others is a way of life which has been a privilege for me to enjoy. That makes selecting this solution to my problems a difficult but necessary choice at this time.

Thank you for this opportunity to share my story and request for assistance with you.

 
 Faithfully submitted,

Guy Everett Mace Jr.