Boys & Girls Club of Parkersburg hopes employee will find dream partner at kidney donation event | News, Sports, Jobs

Pam Webb, family support coordinator, speaks to the community at an event at the Grand Central Mall. Webb needs a kidney transplant and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Parkersburg will host an event Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. to educate the community about organ donation. (Photo provided)

PARKERSBURG – The Boys & Girls Clubs of Parkersburg are hosting a live Kidney Match event Saturday to educate the community about organ donation and support one of their employees, Pam Webb.

The event will take place on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Members of the WVU Transplant Alliance team will be on hand to assist with the initial steps of potential donor matching and answer any questions the community may have.

The club works to provide a safe place for the area’s youth, but it does more than that, said CEO Lynn Reins. She has always believed that in order to help the youth who come through the club’s doors, staff must also work carefully with the families.

“Pam has been an integral part of our club family for years. She was a mother, volunteer and staff member. This diagnosis hit us all hard and we have since been informed of the extent of kidney disease throughout the Mid-Ohio Valley. We hope Pam finds a match this weekend, but also that matches are found for those in need throughout the valley.”

Reins is equally concerned about the well-being of the staff who make it all possible. In 2023, Webb, the club’s family coordinator, was diagnosed with Long COVID, which resulted in several complications, including kidney failure.

“It was quite an emotional blow at first. It was so unexpected. I returned to work after the appointment and gave Lynn an update from the doctor. Without a moment’s hesitation, she started to discuss with me how to create the best situation for me and the donor matching event the club would like to organize. Our COO Justin Clark also immediately promised to get tested,” said Webb.

In April, Webb came to work, but Reins noticed that she was lethargic and not acting like herself. She immediately expressed concern and sent her to the hospital. Within an hour, Webb was diagnosed with stage 5 kidney failure, double pneumonia and advanced sepsis. The club supported the family and was a vital support during the long hospital stay.

“I was very lucky to have the employer that I have. Even after my hospital stay, I immediately had to undergo three dialysis treatments a week and attend numerous appointments here and in Morgantown,” said Webb. “Many employers wouldn’t go out of their way to create a work schedule that meets my needs, but the club does. They show that they value their employees in so many ways. I am blessed to have the Boys & Girls Club in my life.”