Community helps paramedic in need of transplant
Friends and volunteers of Gold Cross Emergency Medical Services lent their support Saturday to raise money for a fellow paramedic in need.
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Fannie Wilson (left) and Betty Jackson look through items at a yard sale sponsored by Gold Cross Emergency Medical Services to raise money for the Jim Gunn Fund.
Photo by Quandra Collins
The fund raiser, which was held at Gold Cross EMS on North Belair Road, included a car wash and a yard and bake sale for the Jim Gunn Fund. Gunn worked for Rural Metro in Augusta as an EMT paramedic and is now in need of a liver transplant.
"We're just trying to raise money for Jim Gunn's hospital bills," said his ex-wife, Lisa Gunn, a paramedic from Lincolnton who helped organize the event. "We're just trying to take care of Jim and help him."
Gold Cross workers Sandra Culver and Tina Bedicheck also helped coordinate the event.
"I know how yard sales go over in Columbia County, and this is a great location," she said.
Bedichek said she was surprised by the amount of support that Gunn had received from the community.
"So far we've raised $800," said Bedicheck. "We hope to present him with a $1,000 check."
In 1996, Jim Gunn was diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder, which caused his body to reject his liver. His doctor recommended he sign up on a liver transplant list. As his condition worsened, Gunn said he suffered damage to his colon, which caused him to undergo surgery. In June 2004, he said he underwent abdominal surgery to "reverse" the operation.
"I was in the hospital for 52 days, and I lost 30 pounds," he said. "It's been really tough. Some days are better than others."
Gunn
Photo by Quandra Collins
Because of his illness, Gunn is unable to work, which, he said, makes it difficult to pay his medical expenses.
But with the support of his friends and family, who have already raised $1,500 since he was hospitalized in June, he said he's thankful.
"It's wonderful," he said. "I really appreciate what everybody is doing for me."
Since his diagnosis, Gunn said he now has more empathy for people who suffer from chronic diseases.
"I hope this helps people know the importance about being an organ donor," he said.
The public can still make cash donations to the Gunn fund through Region VI Emergency Medical Services. For more information, call 667-4336.