Huntley Jaycees Benefit Helping Man Awaiting Double-Lung Transplant

Andrea Schlosser’s green T-shirt, with white letters spelling out the name Jeremy, stood out in the crowd.

Jeremy is her nephew, she explained. She wears the T-shirt to bring attention to a benefit for Jeremy Wilson that the Huntley Jaycees are holding this weekend in Huntley.

Wilson, 22, of Rockford, is described as a strong young man with a loving heart. His Facebook page has a post reading, “You never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have.”

Schlosser, of Huntley, explained Wilson was born with a lung disease called bronchial pulmonary dysplasia. His doctors did not think he would live to the age of 3, but he did. He survived on life support until he received a double-lung transplant in 1999.

He was able to live a regular life, working, graduating high school and attended college, Schlosser said.

In 2009, Wilson and his father, Jeff, both contracted H1N1. His father died. Wilson learned that due to H1N1, he had developed a new lung disease, bronchiolitis obliterans, Schlosser said.

He now needs another double-lung transplant, she said. He is on a waiting list.

Schlosser is trying to help her family with the medical and other costs associated with his treatment. She’s getting a hand from the Huntley Jaycees.

Jaycees member Sheila Cook organized a benefit from 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday, June 10, at Pinecrest Golf and Country Club, 11220 Algonquin Road, Huntley.

The cost is $15 for adults, $25 for couples and $6 for kids ages 2 to 10. Children younger than age 2 are admitted free. The cost includes drink, pasta dinner, salad, and garlic bread. A 50/50 raffle will be held and other items will be raffled off.

Cook and Schlosser have been friends for a long time and Cook wanted to do something to help. Huntley was a good central location to hold the benefit, since it is Schlosser’s hometown and close to Rockford, she said.

Wilson is in the hospital, but Schlosser hopes he can attend the benefit.