Coral Springs community rallies around father of five waiting for life saving kidney transplant while family seeks support
Coral Springs, Florida – For most of his life, Henry Smith has been the one offering support. As a former pastor, youth football coach, and devoted father of five, Smith has spent years guiding, mentoring, and uplifting others. But now, at 38 years old, the Coral Springs man finds himself in a role unfamiliar to him—one of dependence, vulnerability, and urgent need.
Smith’s kidneys have been failing for several years, a condition that has escalated to the point where a transplant is his only hope. The family, now facing mounting medical bills, rent struggles, and uncertainty, is turning to the community for help.
“When I met him, he was in church praying over people who were going through difficult times,” said Dominique Smith, Henry’s wife. “He’s always been someone who put others first.”
Back in 2014, while serving as a pastor in Fort Lauderdale, Henry Smith dedicated himself to community service. He organized food drives for the homeless, visited homebound church members, and drove a bus to bring children in foster care to attend services. Beyond these duties, he served as a youth minister, mentoring young boys who were struggling with family challenges or behavioral issues.
“He took a lot of young boys under his belt to help them get through hard times when they were having trouble with their parents or discipline,” Dominique recalled.
The Smith family relocated to Coral Springs around seven years ago. Their three youngest sons, ages 3, 8, and 10, attend local schools, while their two older daughters, 18 and 20, recently joined the Air Force. Despite this strong family presence, the strain of Henry’s illness has been a heavy burden.
His health issues began approximately three years ago when high blood pressure led him to seek medical attention. By then, his kidneys had already suffered extensive damage. Henry began peritoneal dialysis at home, a demanding process he followed seven days a week for two years.
“He was doing it seven days a week for the last two years,” Dominique said. “And it wasn’t working.”
Four months ago, doctors switched him to hemodialysis, which uses an artificial kidney machine at a medical center to filter the blood. Yet, even this measure failed to stabilize his health. Fluid built up in his lungs, and he spent two weeks on a ventilator. When he was finally able to breathe independently, he was discharged from the hospital, only to return within 24 hours.
“They just released him, like, four days ago, and told him to pretty much just keep on dialysis and that there is just no more they could do in a hospital,” Dominique said. “That is, until he gets a kidney transplant.”
Throughout this ordeal, many friends and even extended family were unaware of the severity of Henry’s condition. “We kind of held it back,” Dominique said. Remarkably, even while managing dialysis treatments at home, Henry continued to coach youth football at Mullens Park, leading the Coral Springs Chargers. “He didn’t miss a day,” Dominique said.
Financially, the family has been struggling. Henry’s work as a truck driver had been the primary income, while Dominique’s preschool job provides a modest salary. The family has fallen behind on rent, and utilities have been turned off. Dominique has had to take extended leave from work to care for her husband, adding further stress.
“I wasn’t sure if he was actually going to make it,” she said, her voice breaking. Recently, Dominique received an eviction notice, intensifying the family’s hardship. In an email to city leaders, she wrote, “We are doing everything we can as a family, but we are reaching a point where we cannot do this alone.”
Now, the Smith family is seeking assistance from the Coral Springs community. By sharing their story with city leaders and local media, Dominique hopes to connect with support programs, donor networks, and any resources that can help them during this difficult time.
For those willing to help, the family has provided contact information. Readers who want to support the Smiths can reach Dominique at [email protected] or by phone at 561-856-2341.
As the holiday season approaches, the Smiths’ story highlights the fragile balance between resilience and vulnerability. A man who has spent years giving to others now depends on the generosity and compassion of his community. The hope for a kidney donor is not just a medical necessity—it represents the lifeline that could allow a devoted father, mentor, and community pillar to continue the work he has spent decades building.
