Local man, 22, awaits kidney transplant

Local man, 22, awaits kidney transplant
By TERESA McMINN
For the Daily Record/Sunday News
Updated: 12/03/2009 10:49:09 PM EST

Adam Wertz would love to go back to work, cook and toss a football to his younger brother.

But lately, he's been stuck in the hospital where only televised sports -- especially Pittsburgh Steelers and Philadelphia 76ers games -- offer a distraction from his physical limitations.

Wertz, 22, was born with a congenital kidney and bladder defect. Doctors put him on a waiting list for a kidney transplant four years ago, and he's undergone dialysis for much of that time.

He graduated in 2007 from Red Lion Area Senior High School after missing a year because of his illness, said his mother, Jackie Markley of Dover.

In September, complications brought on by his health condition caused Wertz to have open heart surgery.

Markley is organizing a bingo fundraiser to help pay for her son's medical bills.

"There are a lot of expenses that are coming in," she said and added that she was laid off from her job about three months ago. Now, Markley sells jewelry through her home-based business and said she's grateful for a flexible work schedule that allows her to care for her son. "This has been very difficult . . . I pay the bills but I cannot afford the co-payments . . . medicines."

Recently, Wertz was admitted to York Hospital with more health problems.

"He's been having a build up of fluid on his lung," Markley said. "He was in a lot of pain."

Earlier this week while in the hospital, Wertz said dialysis has taken a serious toll on his body, but he's optimistic a kidney transplant will restore his health and energy.

"I bowled for quite some time," he said. "But now, I can't even . . . go outside."

Beth Leader of York Township, a family friend, said Wertz is inspiring.

"I can't imagine being his age and having to sit and wait," she said of being on an organ transplant list. "He's been through so much, but he has the courage to keep going."

BINGO

A bingo fundraiser to benefit the Adam Wertz Transplant Fund will be 2 p.m. Dec. 13 at Reliance Fire Hall, 1341 W. Market St. in West York

Prizes are valued at $50 and up. Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 at the door.

Game sponsors and donations of door prizes are needed. Direct sales, home businesses and craft vendors are welcome.

To learn more, call 292-0348 or 467-5339.

DONATE

Donations for Adam Wertz may be made to the National Transplant Assistance Fund.

# Make checks payable to: NTAF Mid-Atlantic Kidney Transplant Fund

# Note in memo section: In Honor of Adam Wertz

# Mail to: NTAF, 150 N. Radnor Chester Road, Suite F-120, Radnor, PA 19087

To learn more, visit www.transplantfund.org.

PHOTO: Adam Wertz checks the tube that drains fluid from his lungs during a stay in York Hospital, while his mother, Jackie Markley, sits alongside. (DAILY RECORD / SUNDAY NEWS -- BIL BOWDEN )

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