Support Eric Mertz's Road to Recovery

My name is Walker "Texas Ranger" and I am fundraising for Eric Mertz on behalf of his wife Amy. We met in the Carpenter's Union Local 167 and he became a mentor to me. Mertz worked for 34 years in the union and is now retired. Unfortunately, shortly after he retired, his diabetes worsened. He had a hole on the bottom of his left foot. Mertz started getting very sick and was rushed to the hospital. After trying to fight infection through many grueling days, he ultimately had his leg amputated below the knee. It was left open to drain the infection out, but Mertz ended up having renal failure and was forced to go on dialysis. With some improved kidney function, he underwent a second surgery and they amputated above his left knee.

Unfortunately, Mertz still has a long way to heal, especially from his minor heart attack due to the stress on his body. Not only is he on dialysis every other day, but there is much that needs to be done before Mertz can return to the comfort of his home. Before he comes home, he and his wife need a handicap accessible ramp put in, a hospital bed for him to sleep comfortably in, a wheelchair to move around his house, a bath chair in the shower, and grab bars by the toilet.

Despite his hard work and many dedicated years of hard physical labor, insurance is unable to cover all of these expenses. So I am organizing this fundraiser to help with Mertz's hospital bills and funding for home safety improvements he needs to leave the hospital. I appreciate your time reading this and hope you will consider contributing to a close family friend and inspiring mentor.