Pizza Hut benefit set for local man with kidney failure

Harvey "Mush" Morsette is back in Seattle undergoing more testing in the hope he can have a kidney transplant, but people can help him by eating some Pizza Hut pizza Thursday.

Morsette said he has been battling kidney disease his entire life, and it has worsened in recent years until he can no longer work.

Two of his family members, his sister Pearl Morsette and his cousin Tim Azure have agreed to donate kidneys if either is a match that will work. Testing is ongoing.

Harvey Morsette said he still has no idea how long it might be until a transplant operation can happen.

He left for Seattle - his third time there - July 29 and expect to be there through the end of this week, at least.

Morsette was extremely active in both his work, including as a firefighter and as a law enforcement officer, and in leisure, spending time with his family including riding horses, traveling, hunting and fishing.

Since his kidney failure increased to stage four, he has been unable to work, or do much outside, and he undergoes dialysis.

He said that even after the transplant, he will be on medication the rest of his life to prevent rejection of the transplanted kidney.

He and his wife, Lanea, 34, just had a new daughter, Nalani, 2 months old, joining their daughter Kathren, who turned 17 the same day her father turned 39, and their son, Jordan Bauer, 18.

Morsette said he is hoping for some help to pay with travel and medical expenses.

Thursday, if people paying for a sit-down or carry-out order at Pizza Hut say they are donating to his fundraiser, 20 percent of the purchase price will go to Morsette's account.

He also has a medical benefit account set up at Independence Bank where people can donate to help with expenses.

The process will be a long one, he said.

"We have a lot of traveling ahead of us, back and forth," Morsette said.