John Hawley’s family is hoping people in the Clarkston community are still in the holiday spirit of giving. Through a partnership with Clarkston Community Church, Hawley’s family is holding a fund-raiser to help them through a crisis.
Hawley’s struggle with diabetes has had severe costs in the last few months. In the past two years, he temporarily lost his sight and suffered from congestive heart failure. In early August, Hawley, 49, needed a kidney transplant and his sister Sharon Pizzuit stepped up.
‘There was no question in my mind it was the right thing to do,? said Pizzuit. ‘It was a hard process, but I don’t regret it whatsoever.?
But Hawley’s condition worsened after his first surgery, and last week he had to have one of his feet amputated due to complications. Cynthia Marlowe, Hawley’s sister, said side effects from Hawley’s anti-rejection medications masked the symptoms in his foot.
‘By the time he knew, it was too late,? Marlowe said.
In addition to being physically incapacitated, Hawley and his family have begun to struggle with the additional financial burden. Hawley, who works in the heating and cooling industry, has been unable to work, and his wife, Diane, has used up her sick leave to help out around home.
Now, as Hawley begins his recovery, his family has begun to look to the future and see what needs the family will have.
‘We’re trying to get the right accommodations so he can have as normal of a life as possible,? said Pizzuti.
One such accommodation is a wheelchair ramp. Hawley is expected to be fitted with a prosthetic foot and go through physical rehabilitation. Even so, he is expected to be restricted to a wheelchair for some time, which means he cannot currently navigate in and out of his own home.
The family is hosting a charity dinner at Clarkston Community Church on Jan. 20 from 6-8:30 p.m. The dinner will include a variety of Hawley’s favorite foods ? authentic Mexican cuisine ? as well as some American favorites.
There is no fee for the dinner. Instead, the family is selling raffle tickets for $5 each. The raffle will feature a new desktop computer, iPod Nano and a portable DVD player. The drawing will take place on Jan. 20 after dinner, but entrants do not have to be present to win. The evening will end with a silent auction and the family is currently accepting donations for items to be auctioned off.
For more information, contact Cynthia Marlowe at 810-397-5955 or Sharon Pizzuiti at 248-797-3759.