A Henry County man who has contributed greatly to his community over the years is now looking for some help to improve his health.

  Willie Blackwell has gotten some media exposure in recent weeks in his quest for a kidney donor. He had one kidney removed in 1999 due to cancer and now his remaining one operates at 15 percent of its normal capacity.

  Now living in one of the Eagle’s Landing neighborhoods, Blackwell spent some time as an NFL player beginning in the late 1970s. He and his wife Kathy have been married 38 years and have spent more than three decades working with young people and married couples as a ministry. He turned 65 years old in February. The couple has three children and four grandchildren.

  “Willie has been giving and helping people all his life and now he needs help to stay alive, to continue to help others, to enjoy his grandchildren and to see his two daughters get married one day,” said Kathy.

  Blackwell served in the past as a chaplain for Morris Brown, his alma mater, as well as Clark Atlanta. When he transitioned to work with Dobbs International Food Service (now Gate Gourmet Food Service) after his playing career ended, he made several contributions to the employees there in addition to his regular job duties. He started a GED, ESL and reading program for the employees, an achievement that ultimately earned him a literacy award in 1995 from Gov. Zell Miller.

  No doubt because of his past service over the years, a large number of people have stepped forward and applied to be tested for their possible compatibility as kidney donors. Some of that interest has stemmed from two recent Atlanta TV news reports about his situation. As of late last week a possible match was being tested more thoroughly by officials at Piedmont Hospital in Atlanta, although no names are revealed by the hospital due to confidentiality regulations.

  The process of finding a donor includes an in-depth physical and psychological evaluation. Blackwell noted that several family members and friends have already been eliminated from consideration because of their own health issues.

  As for his own overall health, it is unusual that someone in Blackwell’s current condition is not on dialysis, but he has so far been able to avoid that. He said that, in addition to God taking care of him, he has been on a strict diet and exercise regimen since his cancer surgery 20 years ago and that is likely a major factor. Blackwell does not talk for very long in any situation without acknowledging his faith and how it has sustained him.

  A Facebook page titled “Willie Blackwell Needs a Kidney” is updated as new information comes in. Piedmont officials have encouraged Blackwell to continue asking for potential donors to apply. A survey is online at www.piedmont.org/livingdonor and interested people can contact Leane Whitehead, transplant coordinator at Piedmont Hospital in Atlanta, at 404-605-4605. His blood type is O positive.