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Local Woman Needs Lung Transplant
 Thirty-four year old Jackie Brown is in need of a double lung transplant. Jackie was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis shortly after she was born. She managed pretty well as a child with fewer hospital stays than some others with the disease. Jackie’s parents managed to care for her with only the help of insurance through their work.
Jackie is married to Terry Brown, Jr. and she is the daughter of Jack and Sherry Wilkie. Her sister and brother-in-law are Jason and Michelle Clontz. The entire family is from Polkville and they  are all faithful members of Calvary’s Cross Baptist Church in Polkville.
Jackie has always had a strong spirit and pushed to do the things she wanted to do, such as graduating from  Burns High School and CCC. Jackie has a beautiful voice and sang in the Youth Choir until she was older.  She then led the Youth Choir and often sang solos and specials and in the Adult Choir. Now she doesn’t have enough breath or lung capacity to sing, or even take a long walk.  She is greatly missed in the choir. Amazingly, Jackie still works and does not receive disability. Walgreens of Shelby allows her to wear her portable oxygen machine while she works. When ask why she doesn’t just give up and apply for disability, Jackie says it’s because working allows her to help with the cost of her medication and keeps her motivated to continue going. It would be easy sit down and quit, but she is not a quitter. Jackie has surpassed the life expectancy of most people with Cystic Fibrosis. Her lungs however have become so diseased and worn out that her only option is a double transplant. All that know Jackie will tell you that she is a good Christian lady that loves her Lord and believes that is why she has done so well for this long and she has faith that God will be with her through every step of this battle. The cost and conditions of a double lung transplant are so phenomenal that Jackie now knows she needs help to achieve this goal. $7,000 is the required deposit to Duke Medical Center before the surgery can be done. Antibiotics and anti-rejection medicines will be in excess of $1000 per month after insurance. Jackie will have to relocate to Durham, because for a period of time she will need to be within 15 minutes of the hospital. This could be for as much as a year before, during and after the surgery. She will have to stop working during this time. Also, someone also has to go with her to learn to be her caregiver. The family has decided her mother, Sherry will go while the others remain here to work and try to keep up with living expenses, and save their homes. Sherry will have to leave her job at the tag office, which will put the incomes of both hers and Jackie’s household down to one. This will be a real struggle for them, but it will be worth it to see Jackie be able to breath with her new lungs. It has been a real testimony to the type of person Jackie is to see how family, friends, coworkers, and her church family have pitched in and tried to help, but we need lots more help. Please help us to give Jackie the “Breath of Life” (Job 12:10). Take a deep Breath now let it out. How often have you taken that for granted. Jackie doesn’t.
Here are some of the ways you can help:
A Chicken Pie Supper/Bluegrass Gospel Singing will be held on September 15th, at BiG Springs Baptist Church,  from 3:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.  Admission is donations only. Featured singers will be: The Griggs, Timber Ridge and The Gospel Hymn Boys.  Calvary’s Cross Baptist Church will be assisting. They are hoping to get the food donated.
A Pancake Breakfast will be held at Fatz’s Restaurant in Shelby on September 22nd. Ticket price is $8.00 per plate.
A Bake Sale will be held in front of Walmart on October 6th.
Also monetary donations may be sent to: The Jackie Brown Fund, c/o Calvary’s Cross Baptist Church, P.O. Box 367 Polkville, N.C. 28136
 One hundred percent of all monies go to Jackie and all material donations will be  used to aid in Fundraisers for her benefit!
For more info you may contact Jackie at 704-538-9324, cell: 704-473-8659, work 704-481-8557; Jack and Sherry at  704-538-3785 or cell  704-477-7572 or Pastor Boone of Calvary’s Cross, family pastor:  704-481-1035, cell: 704-472-4398
Please help Jackie breathe and help her to get new lungs! Help someone who has done all she can to help herself.

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