April 14 ‘Palooza’ to raise funds for Pratt college ag instructor’s kidney transplant

It’s what rural communities do.

When someone is sick, they lend a hand. So when news spread that longtime resident Barrett Smith needed a kidney transplant, folks began to work together to help raise funds to help cover the costs.

Their “Barrett Palooza” party is slated for April 14, said Kiowa County farmer Pat Janssen, one of many residents helping with the event.

“The people of Kiowa County just want to give a little bit back to a man who has done so much for us,” Janssen said.

Smith, the former Kiowa County Extension 4-H and agriculture agent, found out in August his kidneys aren’t functioning normally. He has been going through kidney dialysis while teaching agronomy and agribusiness classes at Pratt Community College.

“Palooza” activities include a 5K fun run, trap shoot and a movie at Greenburg’s Twilight Theatre. The day ends with a dinner, silent auction and raffle, Janssen said.

A GoFundMe page has also been created at http://bit.ly/hpj-barrettsmith.

Smith, who grew up on a farm at Hopewell in northwest Pratt County, said he had been experiencing a number of symptoms, including high blood pressure, low energy levels and a continuous cough. His primary care doctor was monitoring his kidneys and recommended a biopsy before starting his new job at the college in August

Results showed his kidneys aren’t functioning properly. Further testing at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, revealed his kidney function is only 5 percent. They put him on dialysis.

“I knew my kidneys weren’t doing great, but I didn’t know I would have to go on dialysis at age 30,” Smith said.

The dialysis has helped him feel better, he said. He hopes to have a transplant sometime this spring.

His twin siblings, Shelbie and Nathan, both are blood and genetic matches for the transplant, Smith said.

Janssen said Smith has worked hard to build the Kiowa County community. As an Extension agent, he grew the county’s 4-H program and youth involvement. Smith also helped to educate students about where their food comes from, which included setting up an ag safety day and visits to an area farm. He also restarted a shooting sports program.

Meanwhile, he worked with producers on technology and research studies, among countless other programs, Janssen said.

Smith also coordinated relief efforts for victims of the Moore, Oklahoma tornado and the Starbuck wildfire.

“No matter who you are, Barrett is there to help,” Janssen said.

Smith said he feels blessed.

“We are all struggling in this farm economy and to have people rally around me and help me, it’s been amazing.

“You really don’t know what to say, you are kind of just amazed they are doing this for me,” he said.

Amy Bickel can be reached at 620-860-9433 or [email protected].