“The best guess is he caught a virus and it attacked his heart,” said Liza Meek. “It’s such a crazy thing, you go in and they do this test. We thought maybe he would have to have surgery to correct a valve. For the doctors to say no, you need a heart transplant — it’s surreal.” The stress on his heart has not been good for his kidneys and liver, she added. And, of course, the whole situation has not been good for the Meeks’ bank account.
Bob Meek is 39. The couple have three children.
Flatz was the one who suggested a fitting fundraiser: a benefit performance by fans, colleagues and former students of the teacher with one name. There will be two opera singers, including one who’s performed with the Metropolitan Opera in New York; musical theater and dance; instrumental offerings and a couple of student rock bands, too. A few who can’t make it in person will be offering performances on video — including Meek’s Broadway-star friend Louis Hobson, singing something from “Les Miserables.”
“We are so excited about the caliber of performers,” Liza said.
“The Heart Beats” variety show is set for 7 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 7, at Ridgefield High School, 2630 S. Hillhurst Road. Tickets are $15 for students and $20 for adults online through Feb. 6, or $20 and $25 at the door. Advance tickets are available at http://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-heart-beats-variety-show-tickets-15166798302?aff=eac2.
The money will be managed by the National Foundation for Transplants, www.transplants.org. If you can’t make it to the show, you can still search on Meek’s name to find him in the list and make a donation.
According to Karen Werstein, another Meek friend who happens to work for Donate Life Northwest, there are approximately 130,000 people on organ-transplant waiting lists nationally, and more than 3,000 in the Pacific Northwest. Each day, she said, 21 people die in the U.S. waiting for an organ transplant. Learn more at www.donatelifenw.org.
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