Dinner planned to help offset man's heart transplant costs

If the saying that a person gets a new lease on life is true, then Tim Fraas has long-term, fixed-rate mortgage on it.

The lifelong Elginite recently received a heart transplant. Instead of waking up every day thinking about what he can't do, he's looking forward to a new life and continued service to Zion Lutheran Church in Elgin.

"It's a miracle every day. It's so humbling to think of what everybody had to go through and for the donor family to do what they did," said Fraas, 51. "It leaves no doubt there's a good and gracious God that looks out for all of us. I did nothing to deserve this."

Fellow church members on Saturday have planned a spaghetti dinner to help raise money to defray Fraas' medical bills.

The operation cost $75,000 and it will run $27,000 a year for medications to ensure his body won't reject the organ.

"I'm so happy it's working out for him the way it is. It's been quite a road for them," said Joann Hartmann, church member and event organizer.

The night also will serve as a chance to increase awareness about organ donation. Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White and his staff will be on hand to sign people up and answer questions.

In 1993, doctors found a congenital problem with a heart valve. So he had it replaced with a mechanical one, but his heart had to work harder and harder, leading to congestive heart failure.

Over the years, Fraas would become winded doing some of the simplest tasks. Without a transplant, he said, doctors told him he wouldn't live past next July.

Medical teams performed a battery of tests and determined that the rest of Fraas' body was OK. And on Oct. 25, doctors informed him they had a suitable donor.

So he reached his wife, Kathy, and their daughter, Amanda, in church. The congregation said a prayer, and the pair immediately left to meet Fraas downtown.

In a phone interview this week, Fraas' energy was obvious as spoke about the support from his family, church, his wife's students and his employer, a Chicago environmental firm.

He won't be able to garden or smell fresh cut flowers because of the bacteria. But he's eager to spend more time with his family, resume singing in the church choir and teach Sunday school, which he's done for the past 25 years.

Fraas hopes to return home later this week, but he won't be able to attend the fundraiser because doctors say he can't be around large crowds - and the germs they carry - for several months.

He plans to make a video thank you note.

Fraas' return also is making for a November to remember. His daughter also turns 21 and he and Cathy will celebrate their 30th wedding anniversary.

"It's a complete miracle," Fraas said. "It's really, really amazing. What an awesome God."

If you go

What: A spaghetti dinner fundraiser for Tim Fraas, a recent heart transplant recipient, and organ donor registration drive

When: 4:30 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 15

Where: Zion Lutheran Church, 330 Griswold St., Elgin

Cost: Attendees are encouraged to donate what they can. Donations via check also may made out to Zion Lutheran Church with "Fraas fundraiser" in the memo line

Info: (847) 695-0618 or (847) 888-2882.