January 2024

Page 5

BARN SHELTER ANTIQUES

2024

Selma man is in

Make the year of YOU!

Happy New Year!

need of a kidney By Randy Capps

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ray Sasser is friendly and engaging. He’s a 73-year-old husband, father and grandfather who’s active in his church and a man that’s made Johnston County his home since 1971. He’s a retired lighting engineer who has freely given his time and talent to make his community a better place. And today he needs a kidney. “(In 1971) I went to work for Smithfield Electric Supply Company and from there I went to Carolina Power and Light,” he said. “And then I left Carolina Power and Light. In 1981, I went to Westinghouse Lamp, and I started traveling. And I didn't stop traveling until I retired in 2016.” What should have been a happy time with family and friends took an unexpected turn.

“Well, I thought, ‘hey, I finally hung up my shingle. I'm retired and I'm doing great,’” he said. “We had Christmas and on December the 26th, I woke up, got my feet off the bed. I was heading to the bathroom and all of a sudden I felt like I had a flaming arrow on my left hip and my left calf muscle, and I said, ‘good golly, what in the world?’” After a series of exams, it was determined that there was a bone spur pressing on his sciatic nerve. There was also something else — a mass on his left kidney. So, two procedures were planned. The back surgery happened in 2017, and initially, it was a success. But the relief didn’t last very long. “Everything was great, he said. “I came home. I mean, I was out walking two to three

miles with my wife, no problem. And then wham! The back pain is back. I didn't have the hip and calf pain, but I had back pain and it was horrible. “What had happened is I had gotten an infection from the incision on the back surgery, and it's so rare. It was a 1-in10,000,000 situation. … He went in laparoscopically and then found an artery going directly to the tumor. So he didn't have any option but to open me up because he said if he tried to do it that way, I would have bled out and died. So, they opened me up and took the kidney out.” Roughly one in around 750 people are born with only one kidney, so his prognosis at that point was pretty favorable. “(The doctors said) ‘I believe you'll be fine. I believe you're so healthy,’” he said. “Your kidneys should grow and get bigger and take up the slack. Well, it did, but it was slow at doing it. And then it started declining to the point that now I'm on the transplant list, waiting, hoping that someone will donate a kidney.” The clock is ticking, since the average wait time on the donor list is about six years. With a cut off of 80, that means that Sasser has less than seven years to wait — or find his own donor. “My insurance pays for all their testing. And trust me, it's not as complete and thorough as what I had, but it's still a two day process,” he said. “I just

recently heard a story from a nephrologist about this young man who was in his 20s who needed a kidney. And so all his fraternity brothers (went to get tested). Out of 20, zero passed. … So, you can get the best physical of your life for free.” In addition to giving the literal gift of life, kidney donors also move to the top of the list in the unlikely event that they wind up needing one themselves. “My daughter said it best when she put it on Facebook that my dad has so much to live for,” he said. “I have a lot to live for. I don't feel like the Lord is done with me yet. I feel like he has more that he has for me to do, and I need a kidney to be able to do it more fully. “I did not expect what happened. But, as my mom always said, you play the cards you're dealt. There's a big need. I'd like to help others as well as myself. I'd like to get the word out. Most people are born with two kidneys. And if you're healthy, what's wrong with sharing the spare? Jesus said, ‘greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. Well, you don't have to give your life, but you can donate a spare organ.” To learn more about the kidney donation process, visit www.uncmedicalcenter. org/uncmc/care-treatment/ transplant-care/living-organdonation.

Daughters of the American Revolution hand out awards, honor service at monthly meeting Logan Schall

At the November meeting of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Smith-Bryan Chapter, Logan Schall was honored as their Outstanding Youth Volunteer. He is a Life Scout, a junior firefighter and a children's church leader. He has volunteered more than 385 hours to the service to veterans in Johnston County. Logan was presented a certificate by Chapter Regent Francis Kiker and Service to Veterans chairman Pam Schall. Logan is the son of Michael and Stacey Schall of Smithfield.

Devell Durham, Jr.

The chapter presented a certificate to Devell Durham, Jr. USMC (Ret.) as their Outstanding Veteran Volunteer in its November meeting. Durham was also presented with an American flag flown over Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C. He is always willing and available to assist with any need of a veteran or veteran organization throughout Johnston County to ensure that Johnston County maintains the highest standard of taking care of its veterans. He’s married to Tina Durham and has four children

and four grandchildren. The certificates and flag were presented by Chapter Regent Francis Kiker and Service to Veterans chairman Pam Schall.

Michael Schall

Michael Schall presented the POW/MIA Missing Man Table ceremony at the Daughters of the American Revolution Smith-Bryan chapter's November meeting in Smithfield. Schall is a U.S. Navy veteran and a member of American Legion Post 132.

[ January 2024 ] • 9


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