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Courtesy photo Edwin Diaz gives a thumbs-up to friends and family recently during his hospital stay in Miami. Diaz, 7, sufferes from a rare disease that affects his organs and has had a total of eight transplants. Diaz and his family will be the beneficiaires for the 2nd annual Josh Jetton Memorial Golf Tournament which will take place in the coming weeks.

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published: Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Diaz, 7, to benefit from Jetton golf tournament

By SAMANTHA GHOLAR

sgholar@newssun.com

SEBRING -- Edwin Diaz was a fighter from the very start, according to his friends and family.

And he will get help with that fight through the second annual Josh Jetton Memorial Golf Tournament set for Sept. 22.

The local 7-year-old was born with a rare condition known as megacystis microcolon intestinal hypoperistalsis syndrome (MMIH), a disease that prevents the stomach, intestines, kidneys and bladder from functioning properly.

In September of 2006, a 15-hour surgery gave Diaz, then just 1, eight new organs.

Since his transplants, Diaz has been hospitalized numerous times, mainly due to organ rejections. He was hospitalized after a spleen rejection and spent several months in the care of doctors and nurses. Diaz was released in January of 2007.

In November 2010, Diaz was put in a medically induced coma by doctors at Arnold Palmer in Orlando and was transported to a Miami hospital after suffering from swine flu. Diaz's family was told that the young boy would not make it, but many prayers and a skilled team of doctors brought Diaz back; he was released and taken home on Christmas Eve.

Family friend Linda Johnson has become close with Diaz over the past six months and wants to help out in anyway possible.

"He's a good kid. He's such a trooper," Johnson said.

For nearly two years, Diaz had no complications and was enjoying living a full life. In June, however, things again took a turn for the worse. Diaz was admitted to Arnold Palmer where it was discovered he had ulcers on his intestines and colon. The ulcers are usually a sign of organ rejection, according to Diaz's grandfather.

Diaz has been hospitalized in Miami for the past two months where he is receiving anti-rejection treatments.

"He is supposed to leave in about 10 days. This, of course, is devastating to his family. Not to mention how they are hurting financially. Jimmy (Acadedo) supports the family, but it's just taking a toll," Johnson said.

Diaz is the oldest of three siblings; his mother Crystal is unable to work because of her son's ailments. Due to the nature of the financial burden, Diaz and his family have been named this year's beneficiaries of the second annual Josh Jetton Memorial Golf Tournament.

The tournament was established in honor of PFC Josh Jetton by Jetton's brother, Daniel Baker. The tournament will be held Sept.. 22 at Spring Lake Golf Resort. Tee-off is at 8:30 a.m.

Teams and individuals are welcome and donations are being accepted. Payment for sponsorships must be made by Sept. 7 to ensure you are included in the marketing items. Checks may be made payable to the Josh Jetton Memorial Fund or deposited at any Heartland National Bank.

For sponsorship levels and donation information, contact Baker at 273-9536 or Tameesha Hudson at 669-8227.

Information inquiries may also be sent to JJettonfoundation@gmail.com/.