Info on the fundraiser for Ron

My Hometown Hero
by: Holly S. Corbin

Growing up in a small town, the same town my parents graduated High School from, gives me a particular advantage over others. You see, I created friendships with people that I still hold to this day. I also have the unique ability to call upon my hometown when my friends are in trouble. My story is about the horrible disease that is slowly consuming the husband of a dear friend.

In July of 2007, Ron Hopson began a horrific journey, a journey that most of us pray we will never fall victim to. After suffering flu-like symptoms, Ron complained of a persistent headache that continued to intensify until he could no longer withstand the pain. Several tests later, he was diagnosed with Meningitis and was put on medication. The problem should have stopped there, but unfortunately for Ron and Amanda Hopson, this was only the beginning of a difficult new life.

Ron has an incurable disease called Central Nervous System Vasculitis (CNSV), which means inflammation of the central nervous system, affecting the blood vessels in the brain or spinal cord. What was at first thought to be Meningitis was in fact something much more detrimental. For details, please visit the website at http://www.cnsvfinc.org. This debilitating disease has caused Ron to suffer numerous strokes, thus affecting his ability to function as he previously did. Throughout the entire ordeal, his wife, Amanda has been so strong and has created a blog (www.ournewlifewithcnsvasiculitis.blogspot.com) to share with friends and family. This blog also serves as a sort of therapeutic outlet for her.

Ron served as a fireman at the Cash Fire Department for 5 years. From there, Ron began to volunteer his services in Crash Rescue at L3 Communications. He continued to volunteer for six years before becoming a Fireman with them in 2003. Amanda worked in dispatch for several years, until they both could no longer work due to the disease. Ron needs round the clock assistance and monitoring, so Amanda has given up her job in order to take care of her husband. As I’m sure you can guess, this has created a major strain on their finances, sometimes making it necessary to choose between getting Ron’s medicine or buying groceries. Through all of this, Mandy has been a rock, when she feels like crumbling. In her blog she wrote something that touched me deeply; “Ron is my world and my best friend. My brain never allowed the thoughts of him not coming home to process, which I suppose is a good thing. It is so difficult to see my big strong man so sick and in so much pain.”


I sit here crying, while trying to type this letter, because I love my dear friend “Mandy,” and want to help her in any way I can. Since I know that I can’t take it all away, some friends and I are putting together a fundraiser/donation to help pay for their upcoming trip to Cleveland Ohio to see a specialist. The Cleveland Clinic will, with all hopes, give the Hopson’s a chance to face this disease from a new perspective and give Ron a better chance to manage this disease.

The appointment is on July 16th, and we are asking that anyone who is interested in making a donation please do so at any American National Bank under the Ron Hopson CNSV fund. We will keep updates coming on a fundraiser event, so please feel free to contact me via email at thecorbins@netportusa.com or visit my Facebook account under Holly Morgan Corbin. I will keep any updates posted for you. All donations will go towards the costs of traveling to Ohio and back, medical bills, and the overwhelming costs of prescription therapy.


**So far, we have set a date of Saturday, June 27th at the Cash Fire Department for a community yard sale. There will be several items (donations are welcome) to buy, our “boys” with donation boots, and some good food. We hope to start the festivities around 10 a.m., so check with me (thecorbins@netportusa.com) to get more details.***