“Share Your Spare” Event to Help Retired State of Illinois Police Officer

Emily Progin, PR and Communications Coordinator

eprogin@helphopelive.org / 800.642.8399

Release: Immediate

“SHARE YOUR SPARE” EVENT TO HELP RETIRED STATE OF ILLINOIS POLICE OFFICER

Bowl for a Cause to Help David Haldi Get a Transplant

GRIFFITH, Ind.—On Friday, June 21, your strikes, spares, and even gutterballs will help a retired State of Illinois police officer in Griffith afford the gift of new life. Enjoy an evening of bowling with David Haldi and his family with food, games, 50/50 raffle, a silent auction and raffle, and access to an indoor and outdoor patio and bar from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. at Set ‘Em Up Lanes & Lounge (135 N Broad Street in Griffith, Indiana). Haldi needs a kidney transplant to survive and he can’t cover the cost alone. Those unable to attend can donate online.

Haldi is described by family members as “one of the kindest, most loving, loyal, strongest, and hardest-working people we know.” He is a father and grandfather who formerly served as a police officer for nearly thirty years as a State of Illinois police officer stationed in the city of Chicago, serving both downtown and on the West Side.

Haldi served on multiple special units during his time with the force and received the State’s highest honor, the Lifesaving Award, for saving the life of a man who suffered a heart attack. Haldi found the man, assessed the situation, and performed CPR until additional help arrived. Haldi is also a U.S. Marines veteran who served in the 70s.

As his family explained, Haldi has never been one to turn away someone in need and has always put others before himself: “We watched him leave home every night for work as a state police officer in Chicago to provide for us. It is our turn to try to help him because we are not ready to lose this special man.” They are tracking his kidney journey through social media and searching for a living donor who may be willing to give the veteran and police officer life’s most selfless gift.

Haldi needs a lifesaving kidney transplant to survive, but the associated costs are more than he and his family can bear. A kidney transplant costs an average of $414,800 before insurance according to Milliman, Inc. Out-of-pocket expenses he must cover include travel and temporary relocation for medical appointments in Indianapolis, anti-rejection medications, co-pays, and living donor expenses. Haldi is fundraising with the national nonprofit Help Hope Live at https://helphopelive.org/campaign/15284/ to cover a lifetime of transplant-related costs.

Join Haldi’s fight on June 21 by making a $20 tax-deductible donation online: https://events.helphopelive.org/event/4975/signup/ If you are unable to attend but would still like to help, you can donate in honor of David E Haldi at any time at helphopelive.org or by calling 800.642.8399. Donations are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law, and all funds raised will offset medical expenses via the Great Lakes Transplant Fund.

Help Hope Live is a national nonprofit that specializes in engaging communities in fundraising campaigns for people who need a transplant or are affected by a catastrophic injury or illness. Since 1983, campaigns organized by Help Hope Live have raised over $135 million to pay patient expenses. ###