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“These Dumba** Hospitals”- Kenny Wallace Delivers Heartwarming Health Update on Fan-Favorite ‘Jughead’

Published 11/11/2023, 11:09 AM EST

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The relationship between Kenny Wallace and Frankie Rawlins aka “Jughead” has been one of intimate friendship and brotherhood. Being crew members, they have raced together and have shared countless hours behind the garage. However, when Jughead got his gall bladder removed a couple of years back, little did Kenny Wallace know that it was the start of the downhill journey of Jughead’s health. Sadly, he was diagnosed with chronic diarrhea.

Since then, Rawlins has lost around 150 pounds and has to go to the bathroom 7 or 8 times a day. It’s alarming to know that a man who once weighed 317 pounds, has now dropped down to a mere 146 pounds. The good news is that, after visiting several hospitals, Jughead and his family finally landed at the famous Mayo Clinic, whose slogan is “Arrive with questions. Leave with answers.” And Rawlins finally has his answer.

“We back to racing now baby, come on!” Kenny Wallace overjoyed at his friend’s homecoming

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The disease had sucked out all the happiness in Jughead’s life. He was unable to go to work while his wife, Joetta, works at Walmart. It became a tough time for him financially. To make things worse, their insurance had backed down during such a critical time.

Rawlins’ main goal was to get to the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota. And that’s because every other hospital referred him to Mayo Clinic. However, his insurance wasn’t enough to cover his medical expenses and hence, a fundraiser was organized on GoFundMe with the target of raising $50,000 for Jughead’s treatment.

Needless to say, many pitched in, and currently, the donation fund stands at a healthy $99,716. Luckily, Jughead is back home after his treatment. Nevertheless, the ex-Xfinity Series driver didn’t pull any punches criticizing the local hospitals, who did nothing better than sending Jughead away to Mayo’s.

Wallace said, “See, that’s what the Mayo Clinic is all about. So these dumba** hospitals around here… ‘Well, we don’t know. You’re gonna have to go to the Mayo Clinic’.” He then asked his friend, “I guess I was a little mean just then, wasn’t I?” Jughead nodded but said, “Maybe, but it’s the truth.” After all, while the others sent Jughead away, Mayo Clinic said, “We’ll heal you.”

A grateful Kenny Wallace fist-bumped his friend and exclaimed, “Hey, we get back to sh*t talking now, won’t we? Hey, we back to racing now baby, come on!”

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Even the fans cheered Jughead on his return after fighting the deadly disease

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Kenny Wallace put up a long tweet stating Jughead’s health update, a part of which read, “After all, The Mayo Clinic is the only hospital that has diagnosed him and gave him hope.

PLEASE remember that Frankie will be going back-and-forth to Rochester Minnesota until all is done.

MASSIVE THANK YOU TO THE WAITS family for taking care of JUGHEAD.”

No sooner had the post come up on the feed of the fans, than they started wishing Jughead all the best for his recovery.

Someone wrote, “Prayers for Jughead. He’s a Great person . I hope he gets the treatment he needs and God bless you Kenny for all you have done to get him the help he needs.”

Another well-wisher said, “Thank God for a diagnosis that hopefully can be treated. ❤️🙏🙏. Have faith in your medication and try to enjoy life Frankie. ❤️”

“You are a great person KW. Best wishes to Jughead and family!,” added another.

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A fan vehemently dissed the American “couch doctors” and exclaimed, “Best possible outcome from what we all first thought. All Us couch doctors don’t have a clue. How great that the racing community came together to get him the absolute best help available.”

Another user typed, “Thank you so much Kenny for this uplifting message. I will continue to pray for Frankie and his family. I pray that they find a cure to heal him. Thank you again for this update.”

Meanwhile, someone felt the pain Jughead had endured while he battled his condition and commented, “I’m so happy it wasn’t something more serious, even though I know the symptoms are still very rough for him. I know he’s so grateful to have friends like you looking out for him. I will keep him & his family in my prayers.🙏”

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We at EssentiallySports also pray that Jughead recovers totally and gets back on track with Kenny Wallace and company.

Read more: NASCAR Community Left Mourning the Death of Stock Car Legend Kenny Wallace, Thanks to Miscommunication

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Written by:

Soumyadeep Saha

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Edited by:

Abhishek Ramesh