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Show Popular western artist Lynn Griffin, Escalante, displays Tacking In " a painting he has donated to raise funds to assist grandson Brennen with a January kidney transplant Twelve-year-old Brennen was diagnosed di-agnosed with a rare kidney disease four years ago. Escalante Artist Donates j Painting To Help Grandson ESCALANTE Widely-acclaimed Widely-acclaimed for his western art, Lynn Griffin has tied some special emo-tions to "Packing In," a 12-inch by 16-inch painting he has donated to benefit 12-year-old Brennen Griffin, who is waiting anxiously for a kidney transplant. Brennen is the artist's grandson, the son of Michael and Shalene Griffin of Cedar City and Kim Adams, Cedar City. Four years ago, Brennen contracted a kidney disease that left both of his kidneys functioning at about seven percent, requiring him to undergo dialysis for the past three and one-half years. Brennen has battled health problems associated with his kidney disease and his dialysis which have resulted in some lengthy hospital stays over the past several years. He is very familiar with Children's Hospital in Salt Lake City where he spent two of his birthdays, Easter and the last two Halloweens. He has been life-flighted there on three separate occasions. Brennen has been on the kidney transplant list for two and (See ARTIST on Page 5B) Artist Helps His Grandson From Front Page one-half years with disappointing results for him. The Griffins were excited to receive a call in December, 1996, to report to Primary Childrens Hospital for Brennen to receive a donated kidney. Sadly, the transplant trans-plant had to be canceled because Brennen was in the early stages of peritonitis, a painful infection of the stomach cavity. Other infections have rendered Brennen "inactive" on the kidney transplant trans-plant list for lengthy periods of time. But things are looking up for the plucky youngster. His grandmother, grand-mother, Leslie Kupfer of Paro-wan, Paro-wan, will be donating one of her kidneys to Brennen. The transplant trans-plant will most likely occur in mid-January 1998, although a firm date has yet to be scheduled. Brennen will spend approximately approxi-mately one and one-half to two months in Salt Lake City for treatment and observation during this time. His grandmother should be released to go home in about one week. During this time period, Brennen' s family will be traveling frequently between Cedar City and Salt Lake City. The travel expenses, and out-of-pocket expenses ex-penses associated with Brennan's transplant are expected to be beyond be-yond the means of his family to j handle. To help cover the anticipated expenses, Grandpa Lynn, has donated his original painting to be used in fund-raiser drawing. Donation Dona-tion tickets are $1, with no limit to the number that may be purchased to help Brennan and his family. All donations are deposited into a special bank account set up specifically to help pay for Brennen's medical expenses. Contributions may be made at any First Security Bank to the "Brennen M. Griffin Transplant Trans-plant Fund." Lynn Griffin is currently the in-resident artist at Ruby's Inn where many of his works are displayed. dis-played. They are also on exhibit at galleries in Breckenridge, Colo.; Munich, Germany; and at the Serenidad Gallery in Esca-lante. Esca-lante. Lynn is well known for his realistic paintings depicting western west-ern life in exquisitely beautiful surroundings. Additional information on availability of tickets is available from Lynn and Judy Griffin in Escalante at 435-826-4464. The winner will be notified by phone. Brennen and his family have expressed their deep appreciation for all contributions to help them through a challenging time. |