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A national foundation is helping out an Orange City man fighting for his life with a car wash fundraiser this Saturday.
Orange City resident Chris Hoffer was diagnosed with congestive heart failure last year. Further testing revealed he also suffers from an inflammatory disease that affects multiple organs, including the lungs, according to information from the National Foundation for Transplants.
Hoffer, who had previously been healthy, now requires a double-lung transplant.
Hoffer and his wife, Tammara, have two children, Jessica and Christopher, and Chris Hoffer’s illness prevents him from being an active husband and father.
The NFT said Hoffer is looking forward to the transplant, so that he can enjoy more activities with his family.
The average double-lung transplant costs more than $1 million, according to the NFT.
Health insurance will cover a portion of the costs, but Hoffer will still face significant expenses for follow-up care and anti-rejection medications.
Hoffer used to work for the U.S. Postal Service, according to the foundation, but his illness forced him to stop working.
His family turned to the foundation — a nonprofit organization that helps patients raise funds to pay for transplant-related expenses through their community-based fundraising program.
The car wash fundraiser for Hoffer will be 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 30, at the Burger King at 2445 Enterprise Road in Orange City. The cost is $5 per car. Proceeds will go to the foundation to help with some of Hoffer’s transplant-related expenses.
Those who wish to help but are unable to attend can make a tax-deductible donation in honor of Hoffer online at www.transplants.org. Donors should click on “Find a Patient” to locate Hoffer.
People can send checks to the NFT Florida Transplant Fund, 5350 Poplar Ave., Suite 850, Memphis, TN 38119. Write “in honor of Chris Hoffer” on the memo line.
