I am still having a hard time wrapping my brain around the fact that Percy is gone. He was just in the studio with me two weeks ago hosting his long time broadcast "The B Word". He was very ill that day and was having a difficult time breathing. The last thing I said to him was that he needed to go to the hospital.
I can not adequately describe what a beautiful person Percy was. He had a particular fondness for children and senior citizens. He was the type of person that would give you the shirt off his back or the shoes on his feet. He touched the lives of thousands of people, especially through his work at Executive Director of the George Washington Carver Center. Under his leadership we saw the programs expand and beautification of the Center including the multi-million dollar aqua center.
Let's work together to honor Percy's memory by taking up the causes he cared most about. Here are a number of ways in which you can help:
- Vote! If you listened to his show, The B Word, then you know how important this election was to Percy. It breaks my heart that he did not live to see the outcome. Please make your voice heard and be a part of the process. If you are like me and have already voted, then reach out to your family and friends to make sure they vote.
- Help the Carver Center. The Center is in desperate need of financial contributions. If you can not afford to donate money, then how about your time? Volunteers are always needed and welcome.
- Become an organ donor. Even if you do not wish to have this choice on your driver's license, make sure that your emergency contact knows that you want to be an organ donor. Percy was proud to be a spokesperson for the State organ donation program, and he wanted to make it known how important it is for African-Americans to be donors because the organs are best matched to individuals in the same ethnicity.
- Educate yourself about Sarcoidosis. This is the disease which lead to the deterioration of Percy's own heart. Visit websites such as www.stopsarcoidosis.org and learn if you or someone you know could have this potentially life threatening disease.
- Listen to The B Word on AM 1140 WVEL, each Saturday morning at 7:30 am. His friend and co-host, Attorney Don Jackson will be carrying on the broadcast in Percy's memory. I guarantee you will learn something! This is an informative talk program focusing on the concerns and issues of the African-American community.
Percy taught me many life lessons. Although his life was cut short and some may question why his transplant eventually failed, I choose to see the blessing in what happened. Percy's life was extended because of the transplant and I can tell you first hand that he appreciated every single day of his life. He lived each day to the fullest and took every opportunity he had to let the people in his life know how much he loved and cared for them. That is the main lesson I take away from being around Percy, to appreciate each day as a gift from God.
Please remember to keep Percy's family and friends in your prayers. As Percy would always say, "A family that prays together stays together."
J
