Fundraisers planned for Chili family

Fundraisers planned for Chili family

When illness or tragedy strikes close to home, it is a comfort for the family affected to know their neighbors and friends will pull together and help them out. That is what's happening for a Chili family - Phil and Barb Bridenbaugh.

Phil was diagnosed with IDF (Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis) in December. His health deteriorated rapidly and he became a candidate for a double lung transplant. He underwent the transplant on July 30 and during the course of the surgery, it was discovered that he had cancer. He and Barb are in Cleveland while he is recuperating from the surgery and they are waiting to hear what will happen next in his treatment.

Donna Meleca, who is one of many who are coordinating events to help raise funds to help the family, said, "Phil is a strong, positive man and has touched so many here. He is blessed to have a wife as loving and supportive as Barb is but this is going to be a long journey for them and we, as a community, want to do what we can to help them," she said.

There was a benefit garage sale for the family and a car wash, dinner/dance and 50/50 raffles are being planned. Bottles and cans are also being collected to go toward the fundraising efforts.

A website has been put up devoted to information about Phil. It can be accessed by going to www.caringbridge.org and typing philipbridenbaugh in the "Visit a CaringBridge website" section of the page.