Friday, July 03, 2009 8:01 AM
Family starts fundraising for son's kidney transplant
$5,000 needed for surgery
By Stephanie Creech | Times Senior Writer
The July Fourth celebration that will be held Saturday at the home of Willis and Beverly Gray in Wilson will mark the kickoff of the family's fundraising efforts to help their son Antoine Edmundson.
Edmundson, 22, needs to have his second kidney transplant. Edmundson's sister, Katrina Edmundson, 26, is a match and will donate her kidney. However, the family has to raise a minimum of $5,000 for Edmundson's medication and medical care after his surgery before Medicaid and Medicare approve doing the surgery.
The family has set the goal of raising the $5,000 by Sept. 23, which is Edmundson's birthday. Relatives in New York and Virginia are also helping raise money. The family is working on fundraising plans and hopes to have posters and donation cans in local businesses soon.
Willis Gray said Duke Medical Center has a fundraising network that transplant patients can work through. But he said the family wants to start the fundraising at home first and then, if necessary, turn to other sources. Willis Gray, Edmundson's stepfather, said the family wants to know they did their part to help raise the money for the care Edmundson will need for at least three years following the transplant.
Edmundson was born with two defective kidneys. One kidney completely failed. At 18 months old, Edmundson underwent his first kidney transplant. The donated kidney has lasted 20 years. Edmundson started dialysis in January.
In February, Katrina Edmundson underwent the tests to determine whether she would be able to give her brother the kidney he needs.
Katrina Edmundson said she knew their mother couldn't donate her kidney because of her health problems.
"It feels great," Katrina Edmundson said of being able to help her brother.
Katrina Edmundson said she feels blessed to be able to help her brother have a happy life. Doctors have told Katrina Edmundson she will be out of work for about four weeks after the surgery.
"It feels great knowing she's going to help me live," Edmundson said of his sister. "I thank her for it. I thank the Lord for letting it work out."
Beverly Gray said her son's kidney problems are something that just happened. Doctors haven't been able to pinpoint a reason why he was born with defective kidneys. Beverly Gray considers Edmundson her miracle child.
"I thank God for allowing me to have him," she said. "I wanted to be the one to do it (donate the kidney). I'm his mom. Because of my blood pressure, they ruled me out. I'm very honored my daughter wanted to do it."
Beverly Gray said her children were close when they were young. Edmundson's medical problems resulted in his growth being stunted. Even though he's a young man, Edmundson weighs just over 100 pounds and is just over 5 feet tall.
But Edmundson hasn't let his health keep him from doing things. Edmundson has played drums at church since he was 7 years old. The family attends Apostolic Tabernacle in Zebulon. At Fike High School, Edmundson was the smallest band member, but he played and carried the bass drum.
"God has blessed him with a lot of talent," Willis Gray said.
Edmundson is ready to get this next transplant behind him. Willis Gray reminds Edmundson there's a reason why God has allowed him to go on dialysis and to meet other dialysis patients and the staff at the dialysis center. Willis Gray said Edmundson is treated like a celebrity at the dialysis center because he is their smallest patient.
"They are all so happy when they see him come in," Willis Gray said. "They think the world of him."
creech@wilsontimes.com | 265-7822
How you can help:
Mail donations to:
State Employees Credit Union
c/o Antoine L. Edmundson -- Kidney Transplant Fund
P.O. Box 8187, Wilson, N.C. 27896
For more information, reach Willis and Beverly Gray:
252-991-0710 (Home)
252-399-9227 (Cell)
http://www.wilsontimes.com/news/local/story/Family-starts-fundraising-for-son-s-kidney-transplant--
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