By Quentin Yarolem
On Friday, a comedy show and silent auction to raise money for Pat Pybril, who is in Stage 5 kidney failure, will take place at the Mill, 120 E. Burlington St. All of the proceeds will go to Pybril to pay for what insurance doesn’t cover.
The comedians who will perform are Christian Craig, Mike Lucas, Austin Black, and Nick Butler.
“We’re happy to help out with anything like this,” Lucas said. “It just feels good to help out.”
Pybril was quick to pass off the credit of setting the event up to her family.
“I’m very in the dark about [the event],” she said, noting that her family and friends have taken the wheel.
Made possible through word of mouth and the help of dozens of volunteers, the event shows how strong the sense of community is around Pybril.
“My niece’s husband’s cousin did this,” she said and chuckled. “It surprises me that people are willing to help out.”
The comedy event, which will double as a silent auction, will enable guests to bid on everything from a football signed by members of the Green Bay Packers to an expenses-paid round of golf at Riverside Casino. These are just a few examples of what will be bid on.
“I’m surprised, I really am,” Pybril said. “It surprises me that they could get this much, and still there’s more that I don’t even know about.”
A year after being told she had Stage 5 kidney failure and that it could take up to five years to find a donor, Pybril recounts the terrifying night she realized she was sick.
“I couldn’t breathe,” she said, rubbing the spot where her brand-new kidney is. “I couldn’t breathe, and my husband said, ‘We’re going to the hospital.’ ”
Anger, frustration, and confusion swept over her as she sat in the hospital room.
“I get my blood work done all the time; why did it not show up?” Pybril said. “What happened to Stage 1 through 4, and why didn’t I know so that I could have done something before it got to Stage 5?”
As of June 18, Pybril’s body has adapted to the new kidney successfully, and while she may only be six weeks out, things are looking good.
Before the incident, Pybril was not an organ donor, but after going through the experience of needing one, she and her family have all decided to become donors.
“Once I heard how many people in Iowa need it — and even if they weren’t in Iowa, how many people need kidneys to stay alive — I’m just like, ‘Why aren’t people donating?’ ” she said. “The criteria of what you have to have [are] very small.”
After all that’s happened, Pybril remains in high spirits. She bonds nicely with her new kidney, and while nothing is for certain, everything seems to be looking up.
“The doctors have done their part,” she said. “Now, it’s up to me to keep this thing.”
