HERMITAGE, PA. Fund-raising dinner to pay for extra stem cell transplant costs

Proceeds from the Oct. 13 spaghetti dinner will help Sam Swartz's cause.
By HAROLD GWIN
VINDICATOR SHARON BUREAU
HERMITAGE, Pa. -- Sam Swartz's insurance company is picking up the tab for the stem cell transplant that is hoped will save his life, but there are lot of expenses the insurance doesn't cover.
Some of his family and friends are doing what they can to help pay those additional bills and will have a spaghetti dinner/fund-raiser for Swartz from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Oct. 13 at the Hickory VFW at 5550 E. State St.
There will be a Chinese auction and a 50/50raffle along with the dinner, and the organizers are asking local businesses to contribute items or make cash donations.
A fund has been set up at First National Bank of Pennsylvania: The Samuel Swartz Donation Fund, Attn.: Carol L.. Swartz, c/o 7 W. State St., Sharon, Pa. 16146.
Only hope
Swartz, 44, of Neshannock Township, Lawrence County, was diagnosed with leukemia 21/2 years ago but found out five months ago that the medicine he was taking to fight the disease wasn't working.
His oncologist told him his only hope was a stem cell transplant, a process in which his blood cells are killed with chemotherapy and replaced with healthy cells from a donor. It will give him a 75-80 percent chance of survival. Without it, he would live only 18 months to two years, Swartz was told.
After extensive testing, it was determined that his cousin, Lori Bible of Hermitage, was a good match.
His insurance company, HealthAmerica-HealthAssurance, at first refused to pay for the procedure but later relented, and the transplant was done at Western Pennsylvania Hospital in Pittsburgh Aug. 21.
Positive prognosis
Swartz, married and the father of four children, is responding well to the treatment, although he must stay in Pittsburgh close to the hospital, said his aunt, Lori's mother, Carol Swartz of Sharon.
His white cell and blood platelet counts are going up, an indication the transplant is working, she said.
His doctors have told him he may soon be able to return home and go back to West Penn weekly for on-going treatment, she said, adding that she hopes he will be able to be at the Oct. 13 fund-raiser.
She also said the family was recently informed by HealthAmerica-HealthAssurance that, as of Feb. 4, 2004, it will no longer pay for any medical bills associated with the stem cell transplant.
gwin@vindy.com