Gary Dobbs Medical Expenses
Gary Dobbs joined Channel 31 as Director of Weather Services on May 4, 1984, and has been forecasting weather and serving the Tennessee Valley ever since.
Some of the most important severe weather events Gary covered include the ice storm of 1985 the deadly tornadoes of 1989 and again risk his life to warn others in the path of the killer tornados of April 27, 2011 that killed 128 and more within the stations coverage area and there are no numbers of the thousands of lives that were saved from Gary's valor and dedication to the people he served.
He's also covered numerous hurricanes in the Gulf and Atlantic and sent back reports of tracking interest and damage assessment.
A little information about Gary and his wife is Belinda Dobbs.
From Gary:
"I am a retired meteorologist and Belinda is a retired school teacher. I worked at various radio stations across Alabama for 40 years and served as staff and chief meteorologist at WAAY TV in Huntsville, Al. for 38 years.
Belinda taught elementary education for 28 years. Five years ago it was discovered my one kidney (born with one) was beginning to fail. It has since degraded to only 7 percent function and continuing to decline.
While I am on the transplant list at UAB in Birmingham, I was told it could be up to 8 years before a kidney could be found for me. We learned a much shorter waiting list may be available in Florida, so we decided to sell our home in Madison, Al. and spend our retirement years in Florida. I am soon to be on the active waiting list for a kidney transplant at Sacred Heart hospital in Pensacola, Fl. and at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Fl.
Our financial situation was delicate at best when we made the move to Florida. We had expected our house in Madison would sell quickly. Unfortunately, it just sold recently after being on the market for nearly 3 years.
Our budget didn’t account for supporting two mortgages for that period of time. In addition our insurance only covers a portion of the medical and drug expenses we are incurring. Also travel and lodging to the various clinics is mostly a financial burden on us. We had a budget that would allow for my social security, Belinda’s disability and retirement income to cover our living expenses, but unfortunately all the aforementioned factors have found us deeply in debt.
I would like to find part time employment but have found, now that I am on dialysis treatments due to my nonfunctioning kidney, that I am too weak to be very productive anymore. My dialysis treatments are Monday, Wednesday and Friday for 4 hour sessions each. Hopefully, I will find a kidney soon and then perhaps on the road to recovery and back to a normal life.
Belinda and I covet your prayers. If you can help us in any small way with our physical needs, we will be so blessed by that show of your support as well.
Thank you all for your love and concern, and most especially, your prayers. Gary Dobbs"
Please join his many colleagues and family members in helping Gary in his fight as he has stood with us over for many years.
