The community puts together a drive-by parade for Vietnam veteran in need of a kidney

ELKHART, Ind. -- Local veterans, community members, first responders and law enforcement all gathering together to put on a drive-by parade to show their support for a local war veteran who’s fighting a battle of his own.

The 73-year-old war hero Jerry Campbell has a large extended family from the community cheering him on with hopes to find him a kidney donor.

He’s been fighting the battle of stage four renal kidney failure and the community gathered together to support him and his mission to find a donor. 

A line of cars, motorcycles, fire-trucks and law enforcement vehicles packed Elkhart's Concord east side elementary school parking lot all ready to head out to surprise our local war hero on Saturday morning. 

Several local groups took part in putting together a drive-by parade for Vietnam veteran Jerry Campbell.

They surprised Campbell outside of his home with a number of vehicles with balloons and supportive posters, honking their horns, showing love and raising awareness. 

And, right there on sight at the parade, you could spot Campbell with a huge smile on his face greeting everyone that passed by. 

Campbell felt the love from his Michiana family after so many gathered to help him in his fight. 

“It’s hard for me to describe. I’m in awe of it, and I'm so humbled by it because for men and women to show up and drive many miles on my behalf, tells me a lot about them and their character. And just makes me feel, makes me feel wonderful,” Campbell said. 

Campbell’s currently on daily dialysis and has been waiting for several months on the kidney transplant list. 

As time continues to tick by with no donor in sight yet, his supporters you see here on screen hope their showing can bring awareness to help find him his potential match. 

“I’m quite sensitive to the whole situation, disbelief that many showed up at my behalf...people that are praying for me, people that are just watching out for me, sending me kind wishes and so forth, and it’s been a beautiful place to be after being out of the service for so many years and knowing that I’m still a veteran,” Campbell said. 

We can’t thank you enough Jerry Campbell for your service in fighting for our country. 

If you would like to donate an organ, click here for more information.