On January 2, 2021, Doug Wood received a phone call that would mark 2021 as a year to remember.  

Our Dad has been in kidney failure for the past 4 1/2 years and received a phone call from Duke University on January 2nd that there was an eligible kidney. This transplant has already proven life-changing for Doug as well as our family.  Doug will no longer need to spend 4 plus hours on a dialysis machine three times a week. His strength and energy will improve as the kidney cleanses his blood and helps him to eliminate toxins. We cannot praise God enough for the answered prayer. 

My sister and I are starting this fundraiser to help him and Linda with the cost of anti-rejection medicines, transplant surgery, hospital stays, and travel expenses that are going to accumulate over the months and years to ensure that his body does not reject the kidney and it remains fully functional.

Dad has dedicated much of his life to helping others.  He was a volunteer fireman, EMT intermediate in his hometown.  He worked with the RA's in our church and coached little league baseball for years.  His love for the guitar led him to an organization called God's Little Haven.  This is an organization for special needs adults.  He did several fundraisers where they would play guitars, sing, and fellowship.  Every Saturday he would go to their fellowship and teach guitar to those interested.  Never hesitated to give up a Saturday morning to help bring happiness to others.  Playing the guitar is one of his favorite pastimes, along with many other activities including kayaking, cruising on his motorcycle, visiting with friends at breakfast and the gym, and offering his many cents via Facebook.

Anyone who knows our dad knows that he is a people person and has never met a stranger.  No matter where he is or who he meets along the way he can find common ground and strike up a conversation. Doug loves to talk....a lot!  

We hope with this new functioning kidney, that Doug will be afforded the opportunity to spend more time with friends and family, enjoying his old hobbies, and maybe picking up a few new hobbies in the years to come.

With a rush trip to Durham and a two-week stay in a hotel near Duke Hospital, expenses are starting to accumulate. Anything that you can do to help our parents would be greatly appreciated.  We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your prayers and donations. May God bless you.