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A benefit for a 24-year-old Limestone County man will begin at noon, Saturday, June 9, at Choppers Bar and Grill in Prospect, Tenn.
Johnny Novalis, 24, lost the battle in February to save his kidneys and is on dialysis until he is strong enough for a kidney transplant, if a match is found.
Johnny, who turns 25 on June 14, started the fight to save his kidneys in November 2011 when he was diagnosed with Anti GBM Disease, a form of Good Pasture Syndrome. The autoimmune disease is rare and involves the body creating antibodies that attack the kidneys.
Johnny, the son of Rose Giganti and Mitch Novalis, has been on high doses of chemotherapy and prednisone and has suffered the side effects. He lost 60 pounds and is weak due to muscle loss. He undergoes kidney dialysis three times a week and waits until he is strong enough for a kidney transplant.
Being put on the transplant recipient list can be costly. The recipients’ finances are taken into consideration. The anti-rejection medication a recipient will need is expensive and some insurance only covers patients up to a certain time. Since becoming sick, Johnny has been unable to work and accumulated many medical bills.
One of his passions is motorcycles and the biker community is putting together a benefit in Johnny’s honor to help with some of the expenses. The event at Choppers Bar and Grill, 10117 Elkton Pike in Prospect, will include food, raffles, door prizes, live music and more.
Organizers hope the benefit will raise enough money to eliminate any outstanding medical debt at the time Johnny is evaluated for placement on a transplant list.
Organizer Steve Powers said many Athens merchants have helped by donating raffle items. “People have been really good about donating stuff,” Powers said. “I appreciate Athens. I was really surprised especially with how hard times are. It is appreciated big time.”
For more information about the Benefit for Johnny Novalis, call Steve Powers at 256-431-6826 or Mitch Novalis at 256-462-3950 or 256-616-1218.
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