By Matthew Sockol
Staff Writer
FREEHOLD – A long-serving volunteer firefighter who is a well-known resident of Freehold Borough is in need of assistance as he recovers from a double lung transplant.
Reggie Sims underwent the transplant on June 9 after he was diagnosed with bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia (BOOP), a form of pneumonia that compromises bronchioles (air passageways) and surrounding tissue in the lungs.
A fundraiser dubbed Reggie’s Road 2 Recovery is seeking $15,000 to help cover expenses related to the surgery. As of Aug. 29, $12,310 had been donated.
The fundraiser is at https://www.gofundme.com/reggiesrd2recovery
According to information posted on the online fundraising page, Sims became ill in November 2015 and was diagnosed with BOOP after he visited several hospitals. As the illness progressed, he suffered an allergic reaction to an antibiotic.
In order to recover from the disease, Sims required a double lung transplant. The procedure was successfully completed at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, according to information posted online.
Sims’s recovery remains ongoing. The surgery included expenses which are not covered by insurance, according to the page. As a result of his illness, Sims has been unable to work since January. He is employed by Freehold Borough.
According to information posted on the fundraising page, Sims spent nearly eight weeks in a rehabilitation facility and has to return to Philadelphia several times a week for therapy. That situation is expected to continue for several months. For the rest of his life, Sims will have to take anti-rejection drugs and other medication.
Sims has been a volunteer member of the Freehold Fire Department for 25 years and serves on the Freehold Borough Housing Authority. He has served as a volunteer for the YMCA, the Freehold Borough Little League, the Recreation Commission and the Colonial Basketball League.
Sims played football and baseball at Freehold High School and played football at Ashland University, Ohio. He coached baseball and football at Freehold Township High School and was an assistant athletic director for football operations at Rutgers University. He has four daughters.
Reggie’s brother, Jaye, who serves on the Borough Council, acknowledged that the past few months have been emotional, particularly because of the close bond they share. He said he considers his brother’s journey and ongoing recovery to be inspirational.
“I am excited to see where my brother is,” Sims said. “Growing up in a single-parent household, my brother stepped up and was a mentor to me. He loves this town and he loves his kids. It is really nice to see the outpouring of support for Reggie and this fundraiser is a testament to that.”
Lynn Cannon, the assistant borough clerk who organized the fundraiser, noted the progress Sims has made in his recovery.
“Reggie has made tremendous strides in his very long recovery,” Cannon said. “He shows the same level of commitment that he did when he was a star athlete in school. His desire to return to his job, his volunteer duties and most importantly his family, pushes him every day. I am amazed at his progress.”
From 1-6 p.m. Oct. 2, a fundraiser for Sims will be held at VFW Post 4374, 50 Waterworks Road. Entertainment will be provided by Boys Round Here, the Eddie Testa Band, Jimmy and Gene Acoustic Electric Duo and Step Aside. Singers Veronica Kole and Luis Pacheco will appear on behalf of the Latino Coalition of New Jersey. Tickets for a BBQ and pig roast are $20 and may be purchased from the Freehold Fire Department, the VFW or by contacting Cannon at 732-299-5269.