Thank you for community outreach

To the editor:

The words “thank you” aren’t enough to express my appreciation for the support that was given to me for my lung transplant journey at the W&F Wiffle Ball Tournament & Silent Auction held June 24. Also held that day was a benefit ride set up by the Mooseriders 1977 of Winchester.

I was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis in January 2014.

With pulmonary fibrosis, the tissue inside and between the air sacs in the lungs becomes scarred. When the scar forms, the tissue becomes stiff and thicker, making it harder for oxygen to pass through the walls of the air sac into the bloodstream.

Once the lung tissue becomes scarred, the damage cannot be reversed. That is why transplant is currently the only option for survival.

A special thank you to W&F Wiffle Ball Tournament, Mooseriders 1977 Winchester, Chad Funk, Brett Wagner, Dawn Keller, Rhonda Foltz, Melinda Elston, Ken and Karen Wellman and the teams that participated in the tournament.

Also a big thank you to the business sponsors, Marie & Boone, Mainstream Furniture Upholstery, Brigade, Smith Brothers of Berne, T-Flyerz, Dr. Dave Fullenkamp O.D. Family Optometry and everyone else who helped out or donated in any way.

Each and every one of you were instrumental to the success of the benefit.

The outreach from the community is heartwarming. It is quite humbling to look out at a sea of “Breathe” T-shirts being worn by people who support your journey.

Jay County, it is the best. I can’t imagine living anywhere else. And I will pay it forward.

Sincerely,

Beth Hunley

Portland