Pj Smith

Pj Needs Our Help!

Pj (AKA. Patrick) is a very sick man. In April 2013, he contracted pneumonia in both lungs. This strong, independent 58 year old that rarely needed to see a doctor got sicker and within hours of arriving at the emergency room, Pj fell into a coma. He was in a coma on a ventilator for a month, and not expected to live. Being a fighter, Pj did survive, unfortunately, his liver did not. Pj was diagnosed with end stage liver disease; a liver transplant is his only chance for survival.

Pj is a loving father to 3 grown children (one with special needs who currently lives at home), 2 grandchildren with one on the way. He is a loving husband to Ellen (Ennis-Smith) who is teacher at Smithfield Selma High School, in Smithfield, NC. Their dream is simple… to grow old together and watch their children and grandchildren grow up.

Liver failure is a challenging disease and has resulted in 20 hospitalizations since July 2013. This disease has taken away much of Pj’s memory, his ability to work, his ability to ride his beloved motorcycle (which had to be sold) and his ability to drive “black beauty” his faithful pickup. Pj is a veteran of the Unites States Air Force and grew up in a military family but spent most of his youth in Fayetteville, NC. Pj is one of the most loving, personable, optimistic people you will ever meet. Those who know him know there is an aspiring comedian always looking for ways to keep you laughing. Before his illness, Pj served his community as a Patriot Guard member, member of the gospel group “Southland Harmony”, volunteering at a local Salvation Army soup kitchen, and member and former past president of the Wilson Chapter of the Christian Motorcycle Association, and ministering to those in prison.

After many years of helping others, Pj is now the one who needs our help. Transplants are life saving but financially draining. Even with insurance, Pj has incurred huge medical bills and is facing additional large expenses including relocation for several months to be closer to Duke University Hospital, post-transplant medications of up to $2500 per month, co-pays, clinic visits, deductibles, lab fees and more. Also,
Doctors have recommended that Pj receive nursing care while I am at work, however, due to financial strains, we haven’t been able to provide this much needed service.

To help with the financial burden of Pj’s uninsured expenses, a fundraising campaign in his honor has been established with HelpHOPELife, a trusted nonprofit organization that has been providing community based fundraising guidance to patients and their families for more than 30 years. All donations are tax deductible, are held by HelpHOPElive in the South-Atlantic Liver Transplant Fund, and are administered by HelpHOPElive for transplant related expenses only. Please consider a contribution.

Thank you for your prayers, support and generosity.

Gratefully,

Pj’s loving Wife,
Ellen Ennis-Smith 919-963-2103, [email protected]