Local Man Awaits New Heart

The family of a local man is asking for the communities help as he prepares for a life saving surgery.

Chris Joseph, son of the late Union Bar Owner Dave Joseph, has been added to the transplant list and is awaiting his new heart. His medical bills aren’t completely covered by insurance, so his family and friends will host a benefit to raise funds to help pay for the surgery. Long-time friend and an organizer of the event Bill Lewis said he’s known chris for over 20 years and played in several bands with him. Lewis said he’s hopeful he’ll see chris drumming on stage again one day soon.

“Chris is a great musician,” said Lewis. “He’s just rock steady. You can always count on him to play the right thing at the right time and you always knew where you were when he was playing so I hope to play music again with him someday. ”

As Lewis works with friends and family to prepare for the event. He said it makes him see just how important organ donation is and he hopes that people will continue to give life to those who need it much like his friend.

“I’d like to encourage people to look up ‘Donate Life,’ become an organ donor,” said Lewis. “There are way more people needing organs right now than there are donors registered so if you could get that little heart symbol on your license that would be a big thing for everybody. Not just Chris and his family and friends but for anybody that’s going to need an organ at some point. We’re all touched by something like this at some point in our lives. ”

The benefit is on Jan. 23 at the VFW hall on Putnam from 4 p.m. until 9 p.m. The event will include free food, live music, raffles, live and silent auctions, and a 50/50 drawing. Lewis encourages everyone to come out and help them reach their goal of $50,000.