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Reina P. Cunningham

Staff Writer

Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS), the condition that became infamous last year when Good Morning America co-anchor Robin Roberts announced she was battling the disease, is now catching local attention.

A beloved area pastor’s church is working to raise money to help him pay for medical related expenses as he continues his treatment for MDS.

Bennett’s Chapel Church Pastor Bill Poore has been fighting (MDS) for the past three years.

MDS was once commonly known as pre-leukemia because the disease usually turns into Myelogenous Leukemia.

For the past several years, Poore has been taking treatments at the Baker Cancer Center in Harrogate, Tenn.

In between his treatments at the Baker Cancer Center, Poore has numerous doctor visits and hospital stays.

Through last week, Poore had received over 160 blood transfusions during his bout with the disease. Due to the severity of his illness, this number increases on a weekly basis.

With medical bills and out-of-pocket expenses quickly adding up, members of Poore’s church decided to organize an auction to help him pay the medical expenses.

The charity auction will be held at the Middlesboro Community Center on April 6. Doors open at 5 p.m., with the silent auction tentatively scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. and the auction at 7 p.m.

Bennett’s Fork Baptist Church is accepting non-clothing donations for the auction until April 5.

Small items and toys can be dropped off at the Middlesboro Police Department, Kidz Korner Daycare, Stone Realty Auction of Tazewell and Food City of Middlesboro.

If you have a large item or something that cannot be left in a donation box, call 606-246-0280 for pick-up arrangements.

Aside from the charity auction, Medic Blood Drives have been scheduled to help Poore with the cost of his numerous transfusions.

These Medic Blood Drives are referred to as replacement blood drives. For every unit of blood donated in Poore’s name, Medic will replace it with a full unit of blood for Poore.

The first blood drive is scheduled for April 8, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., at Middlesboro ARH Hospital.

There will also be a blood drive on April 16, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., at Big Lots in Middlesboro.

To see a list of items donates thus far or for more information on how to donate, visit the auction page on Facebook by searching Charity Auction for Bill Poore (Bennetts Fork Baptist Church).

Reach Reina P. Cunningham at 606-248-1010, ext. 205, rpcunningham@civitasmedia.com.