WINSTON-SALEM – After a painful – physically and mentally – eight-year wait, Joseph “Joe” Voliva underwent successful surgery to replace an ailing kidney.

Now the healing process begins, which presents its own set of circumstances, especially from a financial aspect.

Joe is the son of Judy Johnson Voliva-smith and the grandson of Dot and Bill Johnson, all of Gates County.

Voliva is a disabled military veteran (1985-1993), a former member of the 82nd Airborne Division, 11 Bravo Infantry Airborne and Air Assault Qualified. He also served in the North Carolina Army National Guard, assigned to the 30th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, and the 19^th Delta Mechanized Infantry Calvary Scouts.

A fundraiser is planned to help Joe offset some of his medical costs that have come on the heels of the transplant. It will be held from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. on May 24 at which time plates of pork barbecue and fried chicken can be picked up at Eure Baptist Church. The meal, available for a $10 donation, is being catered by Captain Bob’s of Hertford.

Meal tickets can be purchased in advance by contacting Judy at 252-357-1950 or by sending her a private message on FaceBook (search for Judith Johnson).

For those wishing to make other donations, a special account has been set up with Southern Bank (the Joseph C. Voliva Special Needs Trust Fund).

“Joseph has had a kidney transplant; thank God he is doing well physically,” said his mother. “However, his medical bills are tremendous and we are asking for help either by purchasing plates for the May 24 meal or making a donation to his special account at Southern Bank.”

Joe Voliva, age 50, experienced kidney failure in February of 2011. He was on kidney dialysis treatments three times a week leading up to his recent surgery.

“We desire seeing Joseph with the sparkle in his eyes and the chuckle in his smile again very soon,” said Judy. “This cannot be done without our faith in God and his direction. We are happy that God has given Joseph a second chance in life.”

Throughout Joe’s quest to become healed, he has been lifted up by a Prayer Warrior Group at the Upper Room Assembly of God Church in Gatesville.

“Prayer has gotten us this far; I’m sure it will take us further down the road along with your love and support,” Judy concluded.