MRS. A HOPES POOR HEALTH WON'T MAR HOLIDAY

Mrs. A has spent her life caring for her children, including a child with a disability who still lives at home. But Mrs. A isn't sure how long she will be able to care for her grown baby.

In fact, Mrs. A isn't sure how long she will be able to care for herself. She is diabetic and in advanced stages of kidney failure. She requires dialysis treatments three times a week to keep her alive. Her eyesight is failing and she has high blood pressure.

Mrs. A's only income is a monthly social security check. Her other children help when they can, but Mrs. A finds it difficult to make the check stretch. Her medical and prescription drug bills are high.

She fears it may be her last Christmas at home and would like to make it special. Mrs. A would enjoy Christmas decorations to brighten her home for the holiday.

Mrs. A must travel many miles from her rural home to the dialysis center. She doesn't drive and must pay for transportation. A donation toward those costs would be appreciated.

Dialysis patients love sweatsuits because they are easy to put on and comfortable to wear during treatments. Mrs. A would like a sweatsuit in a bright cheerful color, deep pink, teal or purple. She would also enjoy a new dressy sweatshirt with a print on the front and knit slacks.

Mrs. A also would like a gift certificate for groceries, and she often shops at Wal-Mart.

Gifts for Mrs. A may be delivered to the Southeast Missourian at 301 Broadway or the Cape Girardeau County Health Department, 1121 Linden.

Gifts or financial donations may be mailed to Christmas for the Elderly, P.O. Box 699, Cape Girardeau, Mo., 63702-0699. For more information call Kim McDowell at 335-6611.