Benefit for Jefferson Heart Transplant Recipient Will Go On

scheduled for Feb. 19 at St. John Vianney R.C. Church, Rt. 23, Stockholm, from 1 – 5 p.m. will proceed as originally planned, but now will be “in memory” of Joe Blaha.  

Blaha was blessed to have been the beneficiary of a heart transplant back in September through an anonymous organ donor.  However, he lost his battle to regain his health on Jan. 28 while recuperating in a cardiac rehab facility in Philadelphia.  Family and friends celebrated his life at a memorial service on Feb. 4.

Joseph and Linda Blaha lived in Jefferson Township for 26 years and raised four children, Joseph, John, James, and Jessica, before they retired to Pennsylvania.  Although Joe passed away, with many friends still in New Jersey and two of their four children still residing in Jefferson, their ties to the community remain very strong.  With this in mind, the family is looking to their former neighbors, friends, and acquaintances to support this fundraiser.  Even with insurance, the cost of transplantation is overwhelming; and even though Blaha is gone, the insurmountable medical bills that accumulated over the past several months remain.  Proceeds will be used to help offset those bills.

The benefit will feature a buffet luncheon with entertainment, raffles, and a 50/50. Tickets are $30 per adult and $10 for children two years old and up and can be pre-purchased by writing a check payable to HelpHopeLive with a note in the memo section “In Memory of Joe Blaha.” Mail to Have a Heart Benefit, PO Box 742, Oak Ridge, NJ 07438. Pre-purchased tickets will be available for pick-up at the door on the day of the event, but individuals without tickets can purchase a ticket at the door. For more event information contact HaveAHeartforJoeBlaha@gmail.com  or call 973-610-1999.

If you wish to donate an item for the raffle such as electronics, a fine wine gift basket, gift certificates, or gift cards for area businesses, please contact Lori Esposito at HaveaHeartforJoeBlaha@gmail.com or call 201-317-9355.  All donations will be greatly appreciated. 

Anyone wishing to make a donation directly to the HelpHopeLive Foundation on Joe Blaha’s behalf can access www.helphopelive.org by searching by name: Joseph Blaha or by type: Heart.

HelpHopeLive is a non-profit organization that has been assisting the transplant community for nearly 30 years.  All contributions are tax deductible, held by the organization in the Mid-Atlantic Heart Transplant Fund, and administered by the organization for transplant-related expenses only.