FLORENCE – Mercy Medicine Clinic, in conjunction with the Mary Alice Caudle Ingram Charitable Lead Unitrust of Florence, is spearheading an effort to return a Florence woman home from Florida after being critically injured in a car accident last month that resulted in several deaths.

The car Carolyn Johnson was riding in was struck by another vehicle that was reportedly fleeing a drug sting. The resulting collision killed the driver, who was also from Florence. Johnson suffered extensive internal injuries including a torn aorta. She has spent the past several weeks recovering at Bayfront Medical Center in St. Petersburg.

This initiative is being coordinated with Christian Air Ministry based in Griffin, Ga., which provides air transport for non-ambulatory patients who have no other means of travel. The flight originating from St. Petersburg will arrive around noon on Saturday at Powers Aviation located at Florence Regional Airport.

The cost involved in returning Johnson to Florence by fixed wing critical-care transport will be $4,237, which covers the cost of aviation fuel and is the only expense charged by the organization. This amount has been graciously provided by the aforementioned foundation.

“Carolyn is a much-loved member of the non-profit world here in Florence and, as one of our own, is very deserving of this special effort to get her home safe and sound,” said Kaye Allen, executive director of Mercy Medicine Clinic. “We are thankful for Sunstar EMS, Carolina MedCare and Christian Air Ministry for their support and participation in this mission to bring Johnson home.”

Many thanks also go to McLeod Regional Medical Center and Bayfront Medical Center for their help in coordinating this most difficult endeavor.

A fundraiser for Johnson is also planned for August 24 at 5 p.m. at Pentecostal Temple Church of God in Christ, which is located at 407 Johns St. in Florence. Performing at this fundraiser will be gospel singers Antonio Black and the Body of Christ. Johnson’s pastor, Louis Brody of Resurrection Outreach Ministries, said the occasion is designed to help both Johnson and her family recover from this tragic event.

“I believe it will speed up the healing process by being back in familiar surroundings, and also help relieve this hardship on her children,” he said.

Mercy Medicine Clinic is a Christian medical facility that provides healthcare to the indigent and working poor of Florence and Dillon counties. In addition to primary medical care, Mercy Medicine Clinic also offers dental, retinal and pharmaceutical services. In January it opened a satellite clinic, the Lake City Free Medical Clinic, to assist the healthcare needs of the medically underserved living in southern Florence County and neighboring Williamsburg County.