“I
have never met anyone more deserving of a chance to live...”
Gary Bales lived twenty-four years of his life without
knowing he was born with only one kidney. The rapid loss of
twenty pounds in three days led to the medical examinations
that revealed the shocking news that would change Gary’s
life forever. His only kidney had failed, leaving him in critical
need of a transplant and forcing him to go on dialysis treatments.
Dialysis is a mechanical means of filtering the bloodstream,
a function the kidneys normally perform around the clock.
However, it is only a temporary fix to prolong life until
transplantation can take place. The dialysis treatments depleted
Gary’s strength and robbed him of many of even the simplest
pleasures most people take for granted on a daily basis. Nevertheless,
his perseverance kept him working full-time during the eight
months he was on dialysis.
Gary was in desperate need of a kidney, and his family members
were tested in hopes for a donor match. Fortunately, his sister,
Sharon, was a match and donated one of her kidneys. The year
of 1984 at Vanderbilt University Hospital, Gary received the
invaluable gift of life from his sister.
Following surgery, he and his wife, Chris, were forced to
sell everything they had when faced with the astronomical
medical bills. Gary returned back to work as soon as he could
and was working full-time again within two months. Regular
doctor visits from home in Georgia to Tennessee required weekly
trips during recovery.
During this time, he rode his bicycle 18 miles each way from
Smyrna to his daytime job in Woodstock. He also worked a job
at Public Storage, which didn’t pay much, but working
there allowed Gary and his wife to live there rent and utility
free in the office apartment to save money.
In 1987, the couple learned that they were expecting their
first child. Having been financially drained of all they had,
they were forced to declare Bankruptcy. At the same time,
Gary’s mother in Tennessee had fallen very ill and was
in need of constant care. Without hesitation, he and his wife
moved to Tennessee to be with his mother. Gary obtained a
fulltime job as a photographer and also became a volunteer
firefighter. He put his heart and soul into firefighting and
worked his way up to Chief of the Department.
In 1991, Gary’s sister and kidney donor, Sharon, was
killed at the age of thirty-four by a painter hired to paint
her house. The family was devastated but took solace in the
fact that Sharon’s spirit continued to live on through
her brother Gary.
Unfortunately, the Bales family had much more sad news to
endure. Gary’s mother passed away from a lengthy illness
six months after the conviction of Sharon’s killer in
1993, and his stepfather’s death came very unexpectedly
only one month later.
Over the next fifteen years, Gary regained his health while
his support and love for his family continued to drive his
daily motivation and livelihood. He takes great pride in the
strong bond with his wife and his eighteen-year-old daughter,
Sarah, and presently works in the selling and servicing of
fire extinguishers.
Last August, Gary discovered he has End Stage Renal Disease,
requiring the urgent need for a kidney transplant. His kidney,
the only remaining element of Sharon, apart from memories,
is deteriorating at a rapid pace and will necessitate dialysis
within the next few months. He needs a kidney transplant as
soon as possible and is very fortunate that his sister, Lisa,
is a match. The only problem is that he does not have the
funds to even start the process.
Unfortunately, there is no possible way that Gary can afford
the escalated premiums imposed on transplant patients by health
insurance providers. Gary’s current health insurance
will not cover any cost associated with dialysis or a transplant.
Although we are hopeful that Gary will be able to receive
Medicare assistance once his condition worsens and he is on
dialysis, we have been unable to get any assurances that he
will. Based on our research, $100,000 is the minimum amount
we need to raise for the medical costs of Gary’s transplant
and post transplant costs. Lifetime medication will be necessary
to keep his new kidney healthy and ensure his body does not
reject it. Emory Healthcare’s requirement of a down
payment of $25,000 towards transplant costs to even begin
pre-transplant testing creates an immediate need.
While the critical demand for financial assistance is evident,
Gary’s humble character hinders his ability to ask for
aid. As his family, we are appealing to you on his behalf.
While the sacrifice of his sisters is undoubtedly the prevailing
gesture of honor, charity and selfless love, we hope that
Gary’s story will inspire generosity among the community.
We see the possibility of a transplant surgery as a ray of
light, and we are asking you for your support. |
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