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Silent auction in honor of Ray Foster

Ray Foster, 50, was diagnosed with hepatitis C in 2005. A few months later, he learned he also suffered from diabetes. His health continued to decline, and he was diagnosed with liver cancer. Doctors told him a liver transplant was essential to his survival.

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Publish Date: 12:57PM 11/20/09

Foster received a new liver Sunday, Nov. 15 at Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis. A liver transplant costs approximately $500,000, and that’s only the beginning. Even with health coverage, Foster faces significant expenses related to his transplant. He will need follow-up care and vital anti-rejection medications for the rest of his life. These medications can cost as much as $5,000 per month and are as critical to his survival as the transplant itself. Although Foster worked as a cabinet builder for 30 years, his declining health has recently prevented him from working. His wife, Anita, suffers from a spinal condition that leaves her unable to work, adding to the family’s financial strain. To overcome these financial challenges, Foster turned to the National Foundation for Transplants (NFT) for assistance. NFT is a nonprofit organization that helps transplant patients raise funds to pay for medical expenses. “We’re thrilled that Ray received his liver transplant,” said Carrie Berry, NFT fundraising consultant. “Sadly, many transplant patients receive this precious gift of life but end up rejecting the organ because they can’t afford their medications. At NFT, we’re helping raise funds for Ray so he can fully enjoy his new life.” Volunteers are planning a fundraiser Saturday, Nov. 28 at 6 p.m. at Buzz’s Suzy Q’s, 15A Pence Ave. in Roscoe, to help Foster with his expenses. The event will include a pot luck dinner, silent auction, raffle and door prizes. Dinner will cost $8 per person and raffle tickets are $1. Silent auction items include hunting gear, Christmas décor and tools. Event sponsors include Kay Martin, Buzz’s Suzy Q’s & Outdoors, Missouri Lottery, Buzz’s Supermarket, Joe’s Supermarket, St. Clair Bank, Hawthorne Bank, Clinton and Springfield Walmart stores and many other area businesses. For more information, contact Anita Foster at aniblue_eyes2@yahoo.com or 573-694-4608. T o make donations in honor of Foster, please visit www.transplants.org and click on “patients we help” to search for him. If you prefer to mail your contribution, please send your gift to the NFT Missouri Liver Fund, 5350 Poplar Avenue, Suite 430, Memphis, TN 38119. Be sure to write “in honor of Ray Foster” in the subject line. About NFT NFT is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization based in Memphis, Tenn. that has been helping transplant patients overcome financial obstacles since 1983. NFT provides fundraising expertise and advocacy to transplant patients by organizing fundraising campaigns in the patients’ own communities. In the past 26 years, NFT’s fundraising campaigns have generated nearly $56 million to assist patients. NFT currently assists more than 800 transplant candidates and recipients nationwide. For more information about NFT, please call 800-489-3863 or visit www.transplants.org. ###