Royce Newberry, Alexandria Bay, NY

2012 Alexandria Bay R.J. McLennan Immediate Need Fund Recipient

Royce has been an active member of the Alexandria Bay community for many years.  He has been battling medical issues for a few years now, with this past year being very difficult due to wounds that would not heal.  He has received care from many medical personnel, but at last, he had to have his leg amputated this spring.  He has spent much time in the hospital in Syracuse, NY, 100 miles from home.  His wife, Gerri, was making that trip daily for many weeks/months, having to pay for gas and food daily, and including parking lot fees of $14 per day.  Gerri had to take time from her job as a Special Education teacher's assistant.  She also works year-round in the evenings and weekends at a small grocery store in town.  Royce is currently home but needs daily medial care that only Gerri is providing.  He has a wound-vac to help clear up a wound on his good leg that doctors are hoping to heal.  He has 2 IV's each day and is on a feeding tube that requires special food.  The Newberrys are good people.  They have helped many others in the community.  Fittingly, Gerri was hired for ther job at school by Ronald J. McLennan, the namesake of the INF.