Wendell Polk Lung Transplant Fund
Donation protected
Imagine being tethered to tubes and tanks most of the day. Imagine being constantly worried that you will run out of oxygen if you go out for even a doctor's appointment. Imagine being worried about breathing- the most basic thing that every one of us needs to live.
Meet our dear friend and brother, Wendell Polk. He looks pretty healthy, but his body and positive outer appearance hides a secret. He has a lung disease that will require a double lung transplant within the coming days or weeks. Wendell was diagnosed with a lung disease in January of 2011 after thinking he had a really bad upper respiratory infection. He has been forced to give up nearly every activity he loves....No more basketball, no more NCCU and UNC basketball and football games. Over the past couple years, the luxuries we sometimes take for granted, Wendell's health will no longer allow. Each year Wendell's difficulty breathing continued to worsen. Symptoms became daily, hospitalizations became more frequent. The slightest activity leaves him gasping for breath even with the oxygen tank always at his side. Wendell has spent most of the past six months struggling to do what most of us take for granted....just taking a breath.
BUT, there is GOOD NEWS! After many weeks of rigorous testing, On Tuesday, October 8, 2013, Wendell was approved to receive a double lung transplant at Duke Medical Center, one of the best transplant centers in the world! What an AWESOME GOD we serve!
His parents (Haywood and Phyllis Polk) have been by his side the whole way and have relocated from Charlotte to Durham to be his caregivers during this difficult time and will remain in Durham for several months for his recovery after his transplant. His surgery costs several million dollars and although insurance will cover a large portion we hope to raise funds to help with his parents relocation and caregiving costs, critical anti-rejection medications and remaining transplant/hospitalization costs not covered by insurance. Once the transplant has taken place we want to make sure Wendell and his family are comfortable and stress free as he recovers.
If you know Wendell well, you love him. Although quiet, he is the most amazing, loving person and has a positive outlook on all he is going through. He has not once complained. Whether you've met him once, known him for years, or stumbled upon his story, please join us in our support for Wendell and his family. Imagine having to think about every breath you take, feel every breath you take. It's so easy to take for granted such a thing as breathing. $1, $100, $1,000 anything and everything will help. We dream big and hope to raise a big amount. He means the world to us. The gift of love and life is precious. You can donate on this site and any funds collected will be forwarded directly to his parents into an account for Wendell's medical expenses. You can remain anonymous or post your name. We ask that you help support our cause with a donation and more importantly share Wendell's story with your friends and family to help us reach our goal.
Please feel free to share this link on FACEBOOK or TWITTER and email it to friends and family that may be interested in helping. We are eternally grateful for your encouragement and support.
Wendell would love to hear from you! To contact Wendell or to volunteer for some upcoming fundraising events, please use the following email address: [email redacted]
Meet our dear friend and brother, Wendell Polk. He looks pretty healthy, but his body and positive outer appearance hides a secret. He has a lung disease that will require a double lung transplant within the coming days or weeks. Wendell was diagnosed with a lung disease in January of 2011 after thinking he had a really bad upper respiratory infection. He has been forced to give up nearly every activity he loves....No more basketball, no more NCCU and UNC basketball and football games. Over the past couple years, the luxuries we sometimes take for granted, Wendell's health will no longer allow. Each year Wendell's difficulty breathing continued to worsen. Symptoms became daily, hospitalizations became more frequent. The slightest activity leaves him gasping for breath even with the oxygen tank always at his side. Wendell has spent most of the past six months struggling to do what most of us take for granted....just taking a breath.
BUT, there is GOOD NEWS! After many weeks of rigorous testing, On Tuesday, October 8, 2013, Wendell was approved to receive a double lung transplant at Duke Medical Center, one of the best transplant centers in the world! What an AWESOME GOD we serve!
His parents (Haywood and Phyllis Polk) have been by his side the whole way and have relocated from Charlotte to Durham to be his caregivers during this difficult time and will remain in Durham for several months for his recovery after his transplant. His surgery costs several million dollars and although insurance will cover a large portion we hope to raise funds to help with his parents relocation and caregiving costs, critical anti-rejection medications and remaining transplant/hospitalization costs not covered by insurance. Once the transplant has taken place we want to make sure Wendell and his family are comfortable and stress free as he recovers.
If you know Wendell well, you love him. Although quiet, he is the most amazing, loving person and has a positive outlook on all he is going through. He has not once complained. Whether you've met him once, known him for years, or stumbled upon his story, please join us in our support for Wendell and his family. Imagine having to think about every breath you take, feel every breath you take. It's so easy to take for granted such a thing as breathing. $1, $100, $1,000 anything and everything will help. We dream big and hope to raise a big amount. He means the world to us. The gift of love and life is precious. You can donate on this site and any funds collected will be forwarded directly to his parents into an account for Wendell's medical expenses. You can remain anonymous or post your name. We ask that you help support our cause with a donation and more importantly share Wendell's story with your friends and family to help us reach our goal.
Please feel free to share this link on FACEBOOK or TWITTER and email it to friends and family that may be interested in helping. We are eternally grateful for your encouragement and support.
Wendell would love to hear from you! To contact Wendell or to volunteer for some upcoming fundraising events, please use the following email address: [email redacted]
Organizer
Wendell Polk
Organizer
Durham, NC
