Have a heart for Zachary's heart

I can remember the very first day I met my dear friend Zachee. He pulled up with dinner for all of us at the shop and offered anyone in need a back rub.  I thought to myself, this is too good to be true.  Then he proceeded to get his massage table out of his vehicle and again offered anyone in need, a back-rub.  Well, niceties such as these occur on a daily basis with Zach.  He is the most compassionate, selfless, giving person I know.  Zachee has so much to offer this world with his many talents.  This gentle man has everything to give.    He has worked in the automotive repair business for 30 years.  This job has given him a purpose.  The thing is when people ask what exactly it is that he does, it's hard to answer because he really has so many jobs he performs.  First, he makes people feel at home by offering conversation, hugs, car rides, coffee and jokes.  This man would give the shirt off his back to anyone.  The best thing that Zach offers is a kind of friendship to people that only comes once in a lifetime.  I remember when he found out that his heart was enlarged he simply said, "Everyone has always told me I have a big heart." During the time I've known him, his most greatest gift to us is of course his heart.   Not too long ago his heart was in trouble. Zach started to cough and was not his usual happy, go lucky self.  He stopped riding his bike which is one of his favorite things to do.  After a couple of weeks of taking cough medicine, we noticed he seemed to tire easily and the cough was still there.  We insisted he go to the doctor and it was during that visit at Urgent Care in Blacksburg that we got the unfortunate news that there was a significant problem with his heart.  The doctor there that evening was an angel who took the extra time to examine Zach. He listened to his heart for an extended period of time.  I noticed the doctor's look of concern and then I looked at Zach. I prayed right then and there that he would be okay.  After a few visits to specialists, we found out that Zachary had a thoracic aortic aneurysm.  During a cat-scan to prepare for surgery, it was discovered that Zachary had several blood clots and had to immediately go to the hospital for treatment of the clots thus the life threatening surgery to replace the valve had to be put off.  During these few weeks, we could tell Zachee was nervous, anxious and concerned but did not express it in words.  He didn't want anyone to worry for he knew that he would be taken care of by the Great God above.  With many prayers answered from friends, family and complete strangers who heard his story,  Zachary made it through 16 hours of surgery.  He went into the hospital on July 22nd and will be there for another few days.  He then will require physical therapy for some time as well as in home care.  We were shocked to discover that his insurance will not pay for his rehabilitation and in home care.   His medical bills will be in the thousands and although most will be paid he still will have lots of unpaid medical bills.  He also needs funds to live on for he will be unable to work for some time.    Please find it in your heart to help Zachary with his new heart by giving a donation. Nelson Mandela once said, "There can be no greater gift than that of giving one's time and energy to help others without expecting anything in return."