Eat pizza to help Larkin student with cystic fibrosis
Before you make dinner plans for Wednesday night, consider buying a pizza from a local restaurant to benefit a Larkin High School junior in need of a major medical operation.
Greg White, 16, is awaiting a double-lung transplant as cystic fibrosis has ravaged his lung function.
With the help of the Children's Organ Transplant Association, Greg, his family and friends are trying to raise $70,000 for the operation.
Nick's Pizza and Pub, 990 S. Randall Road in Elgin, is supporting the first fundraiser in Greg's honor on Wednesday, Jan. 18. From 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., 15 percent of all pizza sales will benefit Greg's cause. Dine-in, delivery and pickup sales are eligible with a flier that can be found at COTAforGregW.com. Donations can also be made through the website.
Based in Bloomington. Ind., the transplant association ensures that no child or young adult is denied a transplant or excluded from a waiting list because of a lack of funds.
“He has had cystic fibrosis since birth, but recently he has been in and out of the hospital more frequently,” said Melissa White, Greg's mom. “His lung function started to go down about a year ago.”
Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disease that can affect a number of organs, including the lungs, where abnormally thick and sticky mucus obstructs breathing passages.
Melissa White said Greg did not display signs of cystic fibrosis when he was born. He was 9 pounds, 7 ounces, whereas babies born with the disease are typically small. It was a couple of days after he was born that Greg was diagnosed with the cystic fibrosis.
In October, doctors at the St. Louis Children's Hospital encouraged the family to start fundraising for a double-lung transplant. Lungs are particularly difficult to transplant because of their delicate state and it usually takes between three months and one year for lungs to become available, Melissa White said.
Erin Barham, a family friend and a coordinator for local fundraising events for Greg, said Wednesday is a way to drum up support for Greg's cause.
“It is great way to support a local teen who is going through a difficult time, but he has shown us that he is taking this with a great stride,” Barham said. “(Greg) is very excited about the possibility of a different future.”
The condition has confined Greg to his home in Elgin, where a tutor provides lessons in English, math and history.
“I miss hanging out with my friends the most,” Greg said. “But they are very supportive and they understand when I can't do everything. I get tired more often.”
Greg said his friends often stop by the house after school to play catch or video games.
An avid sports fan, Greg is a supporter of all Chicago sporting teams, especially the Chicago Blackhawks ice hockey team. He had the opportunity to meet with the team during a closed practice in December.
“They all talked to me and let me take pictures with them,” said White, who said his favorite players are Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane. “And they gave me a hat I could get signed.”
For information on COTA or Greg White, go to COTAforGregW.com.
If you go
What: Fundraiser for Greg White, a Larkin High School junior who needs a double lung transplant.
When: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 18
Where: Nick's Pizza and Pub, 990 S. Randall Road, Elgin
Details: Nick's will donate 15 percent of sales — dine-in and carryout — to a fund for Greg. Diners must download, print out and present a flier available at<a href="http://www.COTAforGregW.com/node/315"> www.COTAforGregW.com (click on “activities and events”).
</a>To order pizza: Call (847) 531-5550 or order online at <a href="http://nickspizzapub.com/home/">nickspizzapub.com</a>
Can't make it? Donations can be made directly to Greg's fund at <a href="http://cotaforgregw.com/">www.COTAforGregW.com</a>