Bethany Ezell, senior nursing student from Paris, Tenn., contracted Stevens-Johnson Syndrome right before the spring semester, forcing her to take the semester off. With the recent expense of receiving treatment and having regular visits with a physician, Ezell’s bills have built quickly.
The Murray State School of Nursing has come together to assist its friend and fellow student in paying for her medical treatment and bills.
“We found out about what happened to Bethany shortly after school started in January,” said Lauren Richards, senior from Goshen, Ky. “A few girls in our class kind of stood up and said ‘hey, we need to support our fellow classmate by trying to get donations so she can pay her medical bills.’”
SJS is a life-threatening condition that produces painful blisters on the skin and mucous membranes, Beverly Newsome, senior from Dexter, Ky., said.
“It took aggressive treatment to pull her through this ordeal,” Newsome said. “She has suffered much pain, both physically and emotionally.”
General donations have been accepted, but the students wanted to do something more for Ezell.
“(Students) also had the idea of organizing a walk in her honor and designing shirts,” Richards said. “The T-shirts have been distributed to many nursing students in the entire School of Nursing, not just in our class.”
The profit made from selling the shirts went straight to Ezell.
The benefit walk in her honor was Sunday at the Murray City Park. It raised more than $5,200 from donations and raffles, and the students could not be happier for Ezell.
“I am really proud of the Murray State School of Nursing for coming together to support a fellow classmate,” said Haley Clark, senior from Paris, Tenn. “We raised more than $5,000 and it would not have been possible without each classmate.”
Throughout this semester, Ezell’s condition has improved. She is expected to return to classes in the fall.
“Although her status has improved greatly, her vision has suffered and she still requires medical treatment with her local physician,” Newsome said. “We are very thankful she has made it through this and is recovering so well.”
Ezell also makes regular trips to Vanderbilt University Hospital in Nashville, Tenn.
Through this whole process, Ezell could not be more grateful for her professors and classmates.
Said Ezell: “I am so thankful for the kindness and generosity of the nursing class and the community. The funds raised surpassed anything I imagined. I could not ask for more support.”
Story by Anna Taylor, Features Editor.