A beloved local teacher and radio personality is giving her heart to the CSRA—or, rather, the other a way around.
For 24 years, listeners could hear the voice of Selina “Soul” Davis on Magic 100.9, the North Augusta soul and R&B station.
Her tenure over the airwaves was interrupted on May 14 of the last year, when her defibrillator suddenly fired. Davis, who is also a teacher at Lucy C. Laney High School with 30 years under her belt, had the defibrillator implanted in 2010, after being diagnosed with a heart condition.
Davis would learn that condition is genetic after visiting doctors between Augusta and Atlanta and getting a full evaluation at Emory Hospital. Physicians told her she would only have a six percent chance of receiving a heart transplant in Georgia, and so she was transferred to Vanderbilt Medical Center in Tennessee.
An extensive examination at Vanderbilt led to her being officially selected for the transplant on Aug. 21.
“A life-saving blessing,” Davis said. “But one that comes with major logistical and financial challenges.”
As she waits for the operation, she must still regularly visit Tennessee for vaccinations—every six weeks, and must continue visits after the transplant.
The community has thus far proven determined not let those burdens outweigh the blessing: as of the publishing of this article, a GoFundMe campaign for Davis has yielded more than $11,000 of a $14,000 goal to help support her amid her treatment.
The money would go toward travel, medications, operations cost not covered by insurance, and several other related expenses.
“From the bottom of my heart, thank you to the CSRA ,and surrounding areas , my family and friends near and far,” said Davis. “For embracing me as an educator, a radio host, a community advocate and as “Soul.” Your love is the reason I can keep pushing forward.”
Skyler Q. Andrews is a staff reporter covering general reporting for The Augusta Press. Reach him at skyler@theaugustapress.com.
