Mickey Starling: Greene Publishing, Inc.
Timmy Dyke will be behind the grill, raising money for two and a half year-old Westyn Hill, of Jennings. The delicious festivities are scheduled for Friday, Feb. 9, beginning at 11 a.m., at the Jasper Civic Center, in Jasper. Your donation of eight dollars will give you a plate of chopped whole hog, beans, cabbage and rolls.
Hill has been diagnosed with Ileal Artesia, type 3A, which is a congenital abnormality that effects the digestive system. Hill has already endured seven surgeries to remove dead tissue from his intestinal tract, which leaves him totally dependent on a feeding tube for his nutritional needs. Hill is only off the feeding tube for six hours per day. Due to the affects of the disease, Hill will need a five-organ transplant in the near future. The transplant of the stomach, small and large intestines, liver and pancreas are done simultaneously to reduce the possibility of rejection of the organs. Dr. Jennifer Garcia, Hill's Pediatric Gastroenterologist, at Jackson Medical Center in Miami, is concerned about the decreasing copper levels in Hill's blood. Although Garcia prefers that Hill gain at least two more pounds before scheduling surgery, the low copper numbers could force an emergency surgery. Lowering of copper in the blood may be a result of recent sickness or from prolonged dependence on feeding tube nutrients.
This has been a long and difficult road for Westyn and his parents, Chris and Macy Hill. Along with your valued financial support, the family asks that you pray that an emergency situation will not develop before Hill is ready for surgery. Dyke could use additional supplies and volunteers to make the event successful. If you would like to help, call Dyke at (850) 464-8107.