LEWISTON — Claudette Fournier of Lewiston is awaiting a lifesaving double-lung transplant. Volunteers are planning a benefit pasta supper on Saturday, Oct. 6, from 4 to 6 p.m. at First Assembly of God Church, 70 Hogan Road.

Admission is $8 for adults and children over 13, and $5 for children ages 5-12. Children 4 and under eat free. Door prizes for local gift certificates will also be available.

In 2005, Fournier, 62, began feeling increasing shortness of breath when walking up the stairs at work. After seeing her doctor, she was diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, the same disease that took the lives of her mother, father and sister-in-law.

A double-lung transplant costs approximately $800,000. And that’s only the beginning. Even with health insurance, Fournier faces significant medical expenses. For the rest of her life, she will need follow-up care and daily anti-rejection medications. Post-transplant medications are very expensive, and they are as critical to her survival as the transplant itself.

To overcome these financial challenges, Fournier turned to the National Foundation for Transplants for assistance. NFT is a nonprofit organization that helps transplant patients raise funds to pay for medical expenses.

“At NFT, we’re here to help Claudette and her family raise funds so they can focus on her health, not the soaring medical expenses,” said Claire Prince, NFT fundraising consultant.

For more information, contact Gloria Bartley at [email protected] or 333-8324.

To make a donation in Fournier’s honor, visit www.transplants.org and select Find an NFT Patient. Contributions may also be mailed to NFT Maine Transplant Fund, 5350 Poplar Ave., Suite 430, Memphis, TN 38119. Be sure to write “in honor of Claudette Fournier” in the subject line.