Double lung transplant recipient finally comes home

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – A few months ago, we did a story on Jeniquez Beene-Long, a Tupelo woman who recently underwent a double lung transplant.

We’re happy to report that Jeniquez is finally home from the hospital and is in recovery.

On Sunday, her community put together a fundraiser at the Restoration Worship Center in Tupelo.

Transforming You Inc. is a non-profit organization ran by Jeniquez’s sister. They are responsible for putting on the event which featured free food, games, poetry, and live music.

Many of her friends and family, as well as a few community members, came out to welcome her home.

“I wanted to invite the entire community to come out to help her, to put a smile back on her face, you know… build her self esteem,” said Jeniquez’s sister Trenessa Beene Pearson.

Family members say Jeniquez is having a hard time in recovery, especially this time of year.

“You know, low in spirits, energy level is low. But I’m here to boost her up,” said Pearson.

“She’s a real active person. Gracie and Chloe, those are her two daughters and she’s just so used to taking them to movie and this time of year doing a lot of shopping and stuff with them. Because of the sicknes she really hadn’t been able to do the things she normally do,” said Janiquez’s father J. C. Beene.

Jeniquez isn’t just having a hard time recovering physically. The operation has also taken a financial toll.

“Actually her insurance was denied. They said that it was pre-existing, so she’s spending like $835 a month for Cobra Insurance. That’s only one thing. She still has a car note, she still has a mortgage. Her husband has taken on a lot of responsibility to take care of that and the kids,” said Pearson.

“You don’t want it to look like you begging for help or whatever. There’s a scripture in the bible that tell’s you, you have not because you ask not. So we’re just asking for help. That’s basically it, because we need help,” said Beene.

Family members say money is the last thing they want Jeniquez to have to worry about.

“I just want to put a smile back on her face. I don’t want her to have to worry about any bills. We want to put money in her pocket, pay her bills off, because it’s very expensive to have a double lung transplant,” said Pearson.

Throughout everything, her family says faith has played a major role.

“We just stay in prayer, fasting and praying and she keeps getting a little better thank God,” said Beene.

If you’d like to find out more information on Transforming You Incorporated or Jeniquez’s story, you can visit their website.