By Dan Jehl
In Cooperation with El Mexicano
A huge grass-roots effort is underway in Fort Wayne to raise money to pay for a kidney transplant and related medical care for a 15-year old Latino youth.
Each week, community residents gather at Fairfield Manor in the offices of El Mexicano, the state’s largest Hispanic newspaper, with a goal-help raise $100,000. This is for the Jorge’ Gonzalez Foundation, administered by Fort Wayne’s National City Bank.
Fernando Zapari, El Mexicano’s publisher conducts the meetings in both English and Spanish. Each week, more come. All are volunteers. This culturally-diverse group begins each meeting with a prayer and then dedicates itself to its goal.
It started in May when Jorge’ Gonzalez, a 15-year old, Miami middle school 8th grader, was diagnosed with kidney failure by Riley Hospital physicians in Indianapolis. Riley officials told Jorge’ and his parents Alberto and Cenobia that he needed daily dialysis and eventually a kidney transplant to live a normal life, or risk kidney failure in future. Both parents immediately volunteered as a kidney donor if compatible.
Riley officials told the family they would not do the transplant since the Gonzalez’s are among the 47,000,000 Americans without health insurance although Alberto Gonzalez works full time. According to Riley Hospital spokesperson Bill Wide, Indiana Medicaid pays for Jorge’s dialysis since the program considers that “emergent” care. Wide said Medicaid will not pay for a transplant or for needed medications after a transplant.
The Gonzalez family approached Zapari for help. In June, he convened the first of what are now, many ongoing meetings of an ad hoc group meeting to plan events and show support to the family and friends. According to Zapari, events and donations totaling nearly $10,000 through August 9 are now in the National City Bank Jorge’ Gonzalez Foundation fund.
In July, volunteers organized a fund-raising Soccer Fest at IPFW’s Plex and a festival at Foster Park. Next is the Boxing Fest on August 23 and a Jorge’ Golf Benefit on September 7.
According to Bill Klemme, coalition attendee and community leader, there are over 20,000 residents in Fort Wayne of Hispanic heritage. The Gonzalez family came to the United States from Mexico. Ecuador’s Hispanic community is planning a fund-raising festival on August 23 at North Side park with all proceeds for the Jorge’ Gonzalez Foundation.
On September 27, Headwaters Park will host a major benefit festival all day. The City of Fort Wayne Parks Department has reduced the fee by 50%, and John Suarez, a coalition attendee, donated the funds to pay the other 50% in memory of his wife. Other events are in the idea phase for Spanish Heritage Month from September 15-October 15.
Volunteers are exploring possible grants from local charitable organizations, including Payton Manning’s Payback Foundation, the quarterback of the Indianapolis Colts. Grants may support the post-transplant medical care and medications.
Estetica Unisex Hair Design at Brooklyn and Covington donates all tips to the Foundation. Mary Kay Cosmetics will be donating part of the proceeds from a product specifically earmarked for this. Leo High School are seeking volunteer students to volunteer at upcoming events.
St. Patrick’s Church is planning a fundraiser for October. This parish’s mission allows helping people make their donations tax-deductible.*
Jenine Perez devoted a day at the Foster Park festival to face and body paintings for the children. She then gave the $1 donations to Zapari for the benefit fund at National City Bank.
As the community comes together for a cause, Zapari said: “Hope springs eternal.”
At the Foster Park benefit festival in July, he said: “This is a good start; and we have a long ways to go.”
In the same month, Jorge’ Gonzalez said to the ad hoc group: “Can you help?”
And help is coming person by person, community by community and day by day.
For information about the upcoming benefits, please contact (260)-456-6843.