Community rallies for Dixie Pig co-owner in need of heart transplant

Mariah Williams
·2 min read

ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) — Driving down South 14th Street and seeing Dixie Pig Diner may bring back memories to longtime residents. Now, one of the beloved establishment’s co-owners needs a heart transplant, and the community is coming together to support him.

David Bradshaw co-owns the family diner alongside his mother. As soon as customers walk through the door, the staff maintains a family-friendly atmosphere for everyone to enjoy, according to longtime customer and friend, Tommy Simons.

“It’s just the atmosphere. It’s good hometown cooking and friendly people,” Simons said.

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For a lot of customers, Bradshaw played a major role in making the diner a second home. His daughter Krista Martin told KTAB/KRBC he always had a seat at the family table.

“The round table at the front says reserved for family. But our customers sit there, and he sits there with them, and he has lunch with them,” Martin said.

Now, after spending 30 years with heart problems, Martin said a recent kidney infection has complicated his diagnosis, making him in need of a heart transplant.

“His body wasn’t bouncing back like they wanted it to. So they told him he could go home and live the best life that he could, or he could try the LVAD, the heart pump, and he said yes,” Martin said. “He came home two weeks ago, and all of his friends and family are rallying around him and supporting him, and they’re having a benefit for him this weekend.”

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The David Bradshaw Benefit, planned for Saturday, will feature food, raffles, and an auction, all with the help of his friends and family. Simons said it’s about time to give back to a man who gives his all to others.

“Just about everybody around has done stuff to help with the benefit, But David and the girls here at the Dixie Pig are always so helpful to everybody and most of the time real considerate. So, you know, it’s just kind of payback time to help them out again,” Simons said.

The benefit will take place from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at 1541 South Treadaway. It will feature live music and an auction, including signed guitars from Willie Nelson and Taylor Swift.

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