SWANTON, Ohio — The Swanton American Legion held a benefit dinner on Saturday to support one of the community’s finest citizens, Rick Maynhart, a Vietnam veteran, who is currently recovering from a double lung transplant.
Maynhart and his wife, Sandie, have been married for 50 years, during which they raised their children and saw the birth of their grandchildren.
This spring, however, the couple was presented with a test like none they had ever faced before.
Rick was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis, right in the middle of Sandie's own battle with thyroid cancer.
Just five days after Sandie had her thyroid removed, the couple was on their way to Cleveland Clinic to see about the possibility of a double lung transplant for Rick.
“She never got a chance to recover and she put everything aside for me," said Rick.
After undergoing a battery of tests in Cleveland, Rick was soon told he was a candidate for a double lung transplant.
It was good news, especially since his health had begun to deteriorate.
Unfortunately, not more than 24 hours after receiving the news, Rick took a turn for the worse and was placed in the ICU. The situation was so dire that Rick’s doctor told the couple they needed to gather the family as they didn’t expect him to live long enough to receive the transplant.
But then a miracle happened.
As his family and the community prayed, a viable donor was found and Rick was able to undergo the transplant.
According to the Columbia University Irving Medical Center, the average wait time for a lung transplant is six to seven months.
Rick's total stay at the Cleveland Clinic was less than three months before he was able to come home to continue his recovery.
Between Rick and Sandie’s cancers, the year has presented them with a seemingly never-ending series of hospital trips and the medical bills that come with it.
“The bills are coming in but they haven't dropped the hammer on us yet, so we're kind of waiting to see what that's going to be,” said Rick.
Rick is a U.S. Army veteran and a former commander of the American Legion's Swanton post.
And if there's one thing veterans do, it's never leave a man behind.
That’s why dozens of friends and supporters showed up at the American Legion to raise money for the Maynharts.
"That's what the legion's all about, and what better way to do it than supporting one of our own," said Amy Herrick, chaplain at Swanton American Legion.
The benefit dinner featured home-cooked meals, raffle baskets and 50/50 drawings. All the proceeds were donated directly to the Maynharts.
"I told them they didn't have to. I told them it's OK. They said no they wanted to help, that's the Legion family," Rick said.
Even in the midst of a very tough year, the Maynharts say they can't help but feel grateful for everything.
Since Rick is still immune-compromised, he had to sit separately from everyone else during the course of the night.
But with well wishes from those in the community who came to show their support, including an appearance from the mayor and a state representative, Rick says he could feel all of their love and support, even from across the room.
If you were unable to attend the event on Saturday but would still like to donate, contact the Swanton American Legion at 419-826-2936.
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