Benefit to aid Westville man

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September 16, 2009

BY DENNIS BARTLOW The Commercial-News Wed Sep 16, 2009, 08:19 PM CDT

WESTVILLE — Larry Walker has been ill for several years, and the bills have been mounting.

Beth Wallace, Walker’s ex-wife, and other family members and friends, plan a benefit Saturday at Stefani’s Tavern, 307 S. State St., with all proceeds going to Methodist Pharmacy at Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis for medication that he needs.

“Everything we raise will go toward the pharmacy,” Wallace said. “I have written everywhere trying to get help.

“We haven’t had a lot help, but I am hoping we have a good turnout of family and friends.”

The event kicks off with a poker run at noon Saturday for $10, with half of the proceeds going to the winner.

A variety of food, including Italian beef, Polish sausage, hot dogs, potato salad and cole slaw will be served.

Following the poker run there will be karaoke and DJ music.

Walker, 52, has had a pacemaker since his children were young and had a defibrillator custom made. Things worsened this year. He had an artificial heart pump installed on Feb. 5.

On April 13, Wallace got a call that there was a “slight chance” that he could get a heart transplant. They made arrangements for the trip to Indianapolis and finally decided to head toward Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis.

“I got in front of the (500-Mile) Speedway when I got a call that it was a go,” Wallace said. “I got him there and registered.”

He was already in intensive care when she got the car parked.

“He got out of the hospital in record time,” Wallace said.

Walker did well for several weeks, but that has changed.

“He has had total rejection of the (new) heart,” she said.

Walker goes back to the doctor next week to see what the next step will be.

“This is a crucial time,” said Walker’s sister, Ladell Stewart of Robinson. “He has been fighting the rejection since he got to the three-month mark.”

Stewart said he has faced 20 years of bacterial infection, with the last five years being the hardest.

“He hopes to be there to greet everyone,” she said.

WALKER BENEFIT

Family and friends will have a benefit Saturday at Stefani’s Tavern in Westville with a poker run leaving at noon for Sidell, Metcalf, Ridge Farm and Georgetown.

Meanwhile, Italian beef, Polish sausage, hot dogs, chili, potato salad and cole slaw will be served at Stefani’s

After the return of the poker run, karaoke and DJ music will be featured.

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