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Access Atlanta > Blog > Archives > 2007 > November > 10
Saturday, November 10, 2007
DJ Melissa Carter starts fund for patients
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Somehow, five years have elapsed since we stood in a waiting area at Piedmont Hospital scribbling down the scene as anxious friends and family awaited word on Q100 DJ Melissa Carter’s successful kidney transplant surgery for an AJC Sunday Living feature.
On Thursday night, many of those same folks gathered at The Warren City Club in Virginia-Highland to celebrate the occasion and to hand over funds for the brand-new Melissa Carter Transplant Fund at Piedmont Hospital, which was formally launched earlier in the day.
For Carter, the emotional high point of the evening arrived when her Piedmont nephrologist Dr. Eda Hochgelerent and her transplant surgeon Dr. John Whelchel turned up to congratulate her.
“For me, having them there was my connection back to what the evening was all about,” Carter said.
The foundation is being set up to assist underinsured and uninsured transplant recipients so they can afford the necessary post-surgery meds and post-transplant care. A portion of the fund will also go toward financing additional training and seminar costs for transplant nurses to further their education in the field.
“Because of my benefits at Q100, I’m one of the lucky ones,” Carter explained. “I could afford to save my life. But so many people who are waiting for a transplant aren’t as fortunate. And a lot of times, a transplant can’t be authorized if you can’t afford the post-op meds, which can cost $3,000 a month.”
Carter’s co-workers Bert Weiss, Jeff Dauler and Jenn Hobby also turned out to support the effort. Carter is hopeful that the foundation will cut its first check in 2008. For more info, go to the Bert Show page at allthehitsQ100.com.
Overscene
New Edition member (and local real estate agent) Ron DeVoe, one-time WXIA-TV reporter Alicia Barnes, current WGCL anchor Cari Champion, 95.5 The Beat morning co-host CJ and Hot-107.9 morning co-host Griff all were at the launch of Griff’s fellow “A Team” member Rashan Ali’s nonprofit organization, Sporty Girls Inc. Media, music, business and sports notables, including Ali’s dad Buck Godfrey, crowded Vino Libro Thursday evening to hear why the founder and others thought it was important for black girls to participate in such “nontraditional sports” as soccer and golf. (And of course, hopefully, write a check.)
Turns out, Ali was part of a record-breaking swim team growing up in Atlanta, earning her a full scholarship to Florida A&M University. “I know a lot of black girls don’t get into swimming because [they’re like], ‘What am I going to do about my hair?’ ” she said with a laugh. “But we did it, and our hair is fine.”
For proof, one needs to only pick up the new coffee table book just hitting stores titled “Daughters of Men: Portraits of African-American Women and their Fathers,” by Rachel Vassel. Ali and Godfrey share pages with actresses Sanaa Lathan and Aisha Tyler, Georgia State Supreme Court Chief Justice Leah Ward Sears and evangelist Juanita Bynum. Pages 81 to 83, to be exact.
Wanted: Your thanks
Yes, dear Buzz reader, it is that time of year again. We need you to e-mail us your thoroughly original, poignant and/or humorous contribution to this year’s Turkey Day Buzz column. Tell us what you’re thankful for this year, along with your full name, where you live and a daytime phone number. The best of the bunch will be published on Thanksgiving Day as the scent of turkey wafts through your home and Aunt Peggy and Uncle Earl get into that annual arg, er, debate about giblets. E-mail your contributions to buzz@ajc.com.
Celebrity birthdays
Today: Actor Russell Johnson (“Gilligan’s Island”) is 83. Actor Roy Scheider is 75. Lyricist Tim Rice is 63. Comedian Tracy Morgan (“30 Rock”) is 39. Actress Ellen Pompeo (“Grey’s Anatomy”) is 38. Rapper Eve is 29. Country singer Miranda Lambert is 24. Actor Josh Peck (“Drake and Josh”) is 21.
Sunday: Comedian Jonathan Winters is 82. Jazz singer-pianist Mose Allison is 80. Singer-keyboardist Paul Cowsill of the Cowsills is 55. Actor Stanley Tucci is 47. Actress Demi Moore is 45. Actress Calista Flockhart (“Brothers and Sisters,” “Ally McBeal”) is 43. Actor Leonardo DiCaprio is 33.
HIGH FIVE
Music
Top-five-selling albums at Decatur CD. The indie store celebrates its fourth anniversary this weekend with discounts, a sidewalk sale and in-store performances from Romantica (today at 2) and Silver Lakes (Sunday at 4).
1. Robert Plant/Alison Krauss, “Raising Sand”
2. Bruce Springsteen, “Magic”
3. Neil Young, “Chrome Dreams II”
4. “I’m Not There” soundtrack
5. Joy Division, “Closer” (deluxe reissue)
ON MY iPOD and TiVO
Trisha Yearwood, country singer and Monticello native:
“I’m not that computer-savvy. My management has to send me my username and password every other week just to get on the thing. I do have an iPod though; mostly for downloading songs for the tour. I’ve also got everything from George Jones to Prince on there, depending on what mood I’m in.”
“We don’t TiVo. We’re not big TV watchers in our house. And if we are, ESPN is the channel of choice during football and baseball season.”
Contributing: Sonia Murray and news services.
If you have a tip, call 404-526-2749. Or fax 404-526-5509. Or e-mail: buzz@ajc.com.
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