Caring for others has come naturally for 58-year-old Rome native Harriet Powell. After graduating high school, Powell began studying nursing at Coosa Valley Tech and has strived to improve others’ quality of life at several hospitals and care positions since then.

“I just always loved working in the nursing field and helping people,” said Powell. “It was just a thrill and I really enjoyed it.”

Powell is now faced with her own medical hurdle. She is in need of a kidney transplant because of her diabetes and has been on a waiting list for the past year.

“It takes a toll on your life,” said Powell. “It’s a lifestyle change, but I’m still grateful that they do have dialysis to sustain your life until you do get a transplant.”

In order to offset the expensive costs of medications that will help prevent transplant organ rejection, a dinner and dance fundraiser is being held for Powell by her friends at the Rome Area History Museum on Aug. 11 at 8 p.m. with unlimited food and drink provided for a minimum donation of $15.

Powell is enrolled in the Georgia Transplant Foundation’s Transplant Fundraising Program and is eligible to receive a dollar-for-dollar match of as much as $10,000 that will be used for post-transplant related costs.

Although she has health insurance to cover some of the costs, she said she will be unable to afford the medicine co-pays without community assistance.

This will be her last fundraiser as she is close to reaching her goal.

“I’m excited about it and praying it will be a good turn out,” said Powell.

Powell is currently raising her granddaughter and has a son in college. She is an active member at Lovejoy Baptist Church where she is a part of the Mother’s Ministry.

Tickets are available at the door on the night of the event or by contacting Powell at 706-295-9394. Attendees are requested to use the back event door of the museum on Tribune Street.

Direct donations are also being accepted. Checks or money orders should be made payable to Georgia Transplant Foundation with Harriet Whatley-Powell in the memo section of the check and mailed to: Georgia Transplant Foundation, Attention Transplant Fundraising Program, at 6600 Peachtree Dunwoody Road, 600 Embassy Row, Suite 250, Atlanta, GA 30328.