By By Jean Sands Special to the Advance
Erica Lynn Toomey is 24 years old and has been a severe diabetic since she was only three years old. In the past two years Toomey has completely lost her eyesight. She has also been on dialysis for the past year. Her future was looking grim, to say the least.
Sept. 10, Lynn received a call from University of Alabama at Birmingham Hospital. The hospital had a kidney and pancreas for transplant for Toomey. She and her family reported to UAB that night and the transplant of the new kidney and pancreas took place Thursday.
Toomey is doing well and her family is praying for all to continue to go well. She will be in the hospital for two weeks or more. Once she is discharged from the hospital, she will need to remain in Birmingham for at least a month. This is part of the recovery process.
Toomey will have to go to the hospital every day for blood work. It will be extremely expensive for Lynn and her mother to remain in Birmingham for the month. The family is in need of financial aid because her mother has been unable to work consistently. That was because of Toomey's illness. Her stepfather is in construction and has been out of work. He has just started back to work in the last few weeks. The family would greatly appreciate any help that the community could offer them. There is a medical fund set up at all United Bank locations in the following name: Erica Lynn Toomey, Renie Jo Lassitter, Trustee. However, if you prefer, you may contact Toomey's aunt, Jean Sands at home by calling 368-2655. The family extends its thanks for the community's support and consideration in this matter.