PEA RIDGE — Many people have joined the fund-raising efforts to help Marcus Nelson, 25, of Pea Ridge.

Nelson is in the hospital in Little Rock needing a heart transplant.

Nelson, the younger son of Willadean and Dennis Nelson, is in the Cardiac Vascular Intensive Care Unit of Baptist Health Medical Center in Little Rock. He has congestive heart failure.

Just days after a group of family friends met to form Friends of Marcus, Marcus had a health crisis and was rushed into surgery.

A port to aid his kidneys was installed, according to Mary Durand, family friend and organizer of the group.

“He took a turn for the worseand needed surgery - a port for his kidneys,” Durand said.

Durand said she believed help was needed, that there was enough support in the community to form the group and that the family could not meet this need alone.

More than a dozen people have met two Monday nights at the Durand’s home in Pea Ridge. In the meantime, many more work to organize events, collect money and to pray for the family and for Marcus.

A HeartMate, a heart pump, is essential to sustain Marcus’ life until he is healthy enough for a transplant and until a heart is available. HeartMate won government approval Jan. 20.

FUNDRAISERS FOR MARCUS NELSON

Friends of Marcus

◊Arvest Bank, Pea Ridge, attn. Kim Brown, P.O. Box 5, Pea Ridge, AR 72751

◊Community First Bank, P.O. Box 27, Pea Ridge, AR 72751

◊Garage Sale for Marcus, Ericha Sebree’s house, 304 McNair St., no prices on items; donations for items purchased, Saturday, Sept. 10.

Donations accepted.

◊Pea Ridge High School Class of 2003 (Marcus’ class) challenged by Carol Ash to donate $20.03.

◊Rope for Marcus, a roping event with a cowboy church, 10:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 16, location to be announced; Adam McBurnett (644-5593).

◊Benefit Co-ed Duck Soup Tournament, 8 a.m. Saturday,Oct. 15, Weston Street ballfields, Pea Ridge, sponsored by Kelsey Cloer (372-7462).

◊Car show, date and location to be announced, planned by Alan Ash and Tony Bone.

◊ Oct. 22, chili supper and live auction, location to be announced. Many items already donated for the auction.

◊T-shirts for sale $10 with original art work noting be a Heart Hero for sale at home Blackhawk football games and local businesses as well as booths at all fundraisers.

◊A booth at the annual Mule Jump to sell T-shirts, Oct. 8.

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There is a Facebook site - Friends of Marcus - on which events and updates on Marcus’ health are posted.

There are other sites - Friends of Marcus Yard Sale!

and Rope for Marcus.

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Medicaid will pay for the transplant, but not for the HeartMate, which will cost around $100,000.

Durand said the group has raised about $1,500 at this time.

Donations may be made to Friends of Marcus at Arvest Bank, Pea Ridge, or to Community First Bank, Pea Ridge.

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Marcus’ grandparents are Bob and Babe DuBois of Bella Vista; Robert Nelson of Pea Ridge; and Dimple Henson of Bentonville and the late C.J.Henson, auctioneer from Rogers.

The next Friends of Marcus meeting is set for 7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 12, at the Durand’s home in Pea Ridge. For information, call Durand at 586-5574.

News, Pages 1 on 09/07/2011