And the 41-year-old father has even less time to come up with over $100,000 to pay for a desperately-needed heart transplant in the US.

So far, relatives, friends, church members and strangers have donated more than $6,000 towards Mr. Hollis' expenses.

His church, Brethren Gospel Hall in Hamilton Parish, has set up a charity for Mr. Hollis.

And this week he received a $750 donation from Berkeley Institute, Harrington Sound and Paget Primary students who raised the money by collecting pennies.

But while Mr. Hollis is grateful for all the donations, he admits he's still a long way from being able to afford the $120,000 operation, which would be performed at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, and after-care costs.

Mr. Hollis' illness has caused him to be out of work for the past three years and already has depleted all of his financial resources.

Without insurance, local charities have been unable to take care of his expenses, he said.

Mr. Hollis, who only has seven-to-10 percent heart function and has been given between August and next February to live, said two weeks ago he spoke with Health and Social Services Minister the Hon. Quinton Edness about his dilemma and Mr. Edness was hopeful that something could be worked out.

Mr. Hollis, who is a Christian, said his faith has helped him to keep in high spirits and stay alive.

"They (doctors) keep saying they don't know how I've survived,'' he said, "but I know it is the Lord.'' Donations can be made to the Wayne Hollis Heart Fund at either the Bank of Bermuda or the Bank of N.T. Butterfield or by writing to church elder Randolph Furbert, PO Box 201 Crawl CRBX.

DESPERATELY NEEDED DONATION -- Berkeley Institute this week donated $750 to Mr. Wayne Hollis who is in desperate need of a heart transplant (see story below). Pictured, from left, are acting school principal Mrs. Patricia Holder, students Denika Gilbert, Carol Hollis who is Mr. Hollis' daughter, Maunkia Pitt and Mr. Hollis.