We are working together to organize a benefit/fundraiser for our friend Tracey Williams. Tracey is from the Clayburg area currently living in Altoona and is in need of a kidney transplant surgery. She’s been on dialysis for the last three years. Her fiancé Adam graciously stepped up and was tested to be a possible match for her. By the Grace of God, he does indeed match with Tracey and will be giving her a kidney on August 29, 2024 at the Starzyl Transplant Institute within UPMC Montefiore in Pittsburgh. However, with anything of this nature, there are a lot of expenses that have to come out of pocket, hence the need to help her raise funds to cover these expenses. This is her second transplant (first one in 2013 at Pinnacle in Hershey), so recovery may be a little more intensive. To add to that, Adam will also be out of work for his recovery until November. Here is a list of the expenses we need to help her cover and anything you could possibly donate or help with would be greatly appreciated.

• Medical expenses that may not covered by insurance for the procedure

• Cost of stay expenses post-surgery. Tracey will require a daily post op appointments for a few weeks, while Adam will need a few appointments early as well. Tracey is looking to stay at the Family House near UPMC while the appointments are daily, but that is also a costly stay and something we are hoping to cover for her along with food expenses while she is there.

• Travel expenses after her stay at the Family House. After the first few weeks, Tracey will have to rely on friends to get her back and forth to Pittsburgh for clinical appointments when they are reduced to 2-3 times a week during her recovery. She will be on a 6-8 week driving restriction at minimum.

• Bills and expenses at home. Adam will not return to work until November, and even with transplant, it’s a minimum of two months recovery time for Tracey. At this time, there’s no income for bills at home so we are looking to help her with that also. Adam has a 13-year old daughter so we are hoping to help every aspect of their recovery, especially considering this is her second time and Adam has been a Godsend to her.

• Any additional expenses that may accrue along the way.

The benefit is set for Saturday July 27 at the VFW in Duncansville. We are looking for donations of baskets, larger ticket items m and monetary donations. We are also in need of paper products (plates/napkins/silverware/cups) as well as soda/water, ice and desserts for dinner. We are also hoping to have food donated for the spaghetti dinner - we have reached out to a local company for this and are awaiting their decision.

If you cant attend this event or donate to our cause you can still help by sharing this event and spreading the word in your community. Thank you to everyone involved in any way, big or small. God Bless <3