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A Staff Report

Amy Grimes Melvin, a resident of Tar Heel, North Carolina, is facing a significant medical challenge. She has been advised by Duke Hospital in Durham, North Carolina, to initiate a fundraising effort in preparation for a lung transplant. Amy’s medical condition, which involves scarred lungs and thickened airways due to Kartagener Syndrome, is akin to being born with certain organs positioned incorrectly. Her lung cilia, responsible for clearing mucus, do not function properly, leading to Bronchiectasis disease.

In light of the impending lung transplant, Amy has been given a fundraising target of $20,000. This financial goal is necessary due to her requirement to reside within a 30-minute radius of the healthcare facility after the transplant. This proximity is essential as she will have 4-5 weekly appointments following the surgery.

The Tar Heel Fire Department, at 269 Tar Heel Ferry Road, is rallying support for Amy’s cause by hosting a multifaceted fundraising event. On Saturday, November 18, 2023, from 11 am to 2 pm, they will organize a silent auction and offer BBQ plates and Boston Butts for sale. The event is made possible through the generous sponsorship of Tar Heel Area Churches, Reedy Meadow Hunt Club, Bladen We Care, and the Bladen Baptist Association.

Amy is contributing her golf cart to be auctioned off as part of the fundraiser. Tickets for the event are available for $10, *and a raffle will be conducted on December 16, 2023.

For those unable to attend the fundraiser in person, there is an option to support Amy by writing a check to the Bladen Baptist Association and sending it to 108 Mercer Mill Road, Elizabethtown, NC 28337. To ensure the donation reaches Amy, please make sure to include “For Amy Grimes Melvin” in the memo line of the check.

Additionally, Amy has set up a cash app for receiving donations, and you can contribute through the username $Cruzn202016. Your support will go a long way in helping Amy Grimes Melvin on her journey towards a life-changing lung transplant.

*The golf cart winner will be announced on December 16, 2023.