Fundraiser slated Oct. 16 to help H. Holden

October 7, 2010
By Bridget Nash Staff Writer Enid News and Eagle

The Enid News and Eagle Thu Oct 07, 2010, 10:15 PM CDT

ENID — As local artist H. Holden continues to recover from lung transplant surgery, a fundraiser is set for Oct. 16 to help with medical expenses. Holden recently the lung transplant in July after being diagnosed with ideopathic pulmonary fibrosis several years ago. “He’s doing remarkably well,” said his wife, Edna Mae Holden.
The fundraiser will begin with an art show, sale and silent auction at 6:30 p.m. at Emmanuel Baptist Church. Following the art show will be a concert at 7:30 p.m. featuring musicians Rich O’Brien and R.W. Hampton. There will be a meet-and-greet reception following the concert.
Tickets to the event are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. All proceeds will go toward H. Holden’s medical expenses. Holden was born in Enid and has lived in the area his whole life. “He’s a third-generation resident of the area,” Edna Mae said.
Holden’s lung transplant was performed in Oklahoma City, and he and Edna Mae had to live in Oklahoma City for more than a month following the operation. Now, the Holdens are back at their home in Kremlin and although he has to take about 45 pills each day, Holden is recovering well. “We’ve had a lot of support from our friends and our church and our family,” Edna Mae said. “We’re going to have some challenges down the road.” The main challenge is to keep Holden’s body from rejecting the donor lung, she said.
Although Holden lost about 50 pounds following his operation, he has regained strength and is beginning to work on his art again. “He’s working on a couple of monuments now,” Edna Mae said. She said he also is excited about a show he has coming up in Oklahoma City.

Tickets to the fundraiser can be purchased at Way Out West, Soapweeds and Cactus, Emmanuel Baptist Church and Simpson’s Old Time Museum. Tickets also may be purchased by calling R.W. Hampton at (800) 392-0822. Donations may be mailed to: H. Holden Medical Account, NBC Oklahoma, 3202 W. Garriott, Enid, OK 73703. For information, call 233-2379 between 9:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.