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February 5, 2009

Community comes together to support family in need

Courtney Crauthers

EDMOND — Teresa Dixon’s friends and family have stepped up to support her in a time of need, and are seeking more help from the community.

Dixon, a longtime Edmond resident, is in need of a liver transplant, which will cost millions. About seven friends who have been recipients of Dixon’s love and compassion during the years have formed a committee to help the family raise funds to pay for the transplant and anti-rejection medication, which Dixon will have to take for the rest of her life following the procedure.

The loving mom of two sons, Steven and Ryan, said she was diagnosed with polycystic kidney disease about 13 years ago but was expected to be OK for years to come. However, on Oct. 3 Dixon became violently ill and had to be hospitalized. The kidney disease had caused polycystic liver disease, which only happens to about 8 percent of those with polycystic kidney disease, Dixon said.

“It attacks the liver and causes it to grow and grow,” she said. “It will cause problems with other organs until it shuts down.”

The only cure is a liver transplant, and even then her body might reject it, Dixon said. She currently is on a waiting list with the estimate that a liver will be donated for her surgery sometime between June and December.

Dixon’s friends speak of her faith and how if anyone is ever sick, she and her husband Steve are the first to arrive with food.

“They’d do anything for you,” said Pat Lilly, a friend and neighbor.

Sharon Wright, co-chairwoman of the fundraising committee, said Dixon always puts herself second to others.

“Teresa is very strong,” she said. “She is a very loving and nurturing person.”

Dixon, a licensed in-home childcare provider, has owned Ms. Teresa’s Tiny Tots In-Home Childcare for 15 years and has worked with about 25 children over the years.

“I’ve had wonderful parents and I love what I do,” she said. “We learn through play at my house. I like to see the sparkle in their eyes as they learn.”

Lilly said her daughter went to Ms. Teresa’s Tiny Tots for many years.

“She’s the very best child care worker I’ve ever met,” Lilly said.

When Dixon was diagnosed with polycystic liver disease, Lilly took on the role of chairwoman of the fundraising committee, which already has planned a few events.

“I appreciate everything everyone is doing for me,” Dixon said. “It’s what keeps me going every day. It’s very humbling.”

Dixon’s fundraising committee is asking the community to eat at any Johnnie’s Charcoal Broiler the second Monday of the month. Let the person taking orders know you are there for Dixon’s fundraising night and a percentage of the sales will go toward her fund.

Also, families can attend a Valentine’s Dance Saturday from 6-8 p.m. in the gym on the south side of Quail Springs Church of Christ, 14401 N. May Ave. The cost is $25 per family and 96 percent of the funds will go toward Dixon’s surgery.

Individual donations can be addressed to the National Transplant Assistance Fund (NTAF) South-Liver Transplant Fund, in honor of Teresa Dixon, and sent to 150 N. Radnor Chester Road, Suite F-120, Radnor, PA, 19087.

Since donations began Dec. 9, $2,000 already has been donated to the fund by friends and family, Dixon said.

FOR MORE information about donations for Dixon, e-mail Wright at Sharon@pldweb.com.

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