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Many of our wrestling friends across the nation are asking for an update on Coach Ray Leathers' condition and his transplant fundraising efforts. Let me first say that Coach Leathers thanks everyone for the prayers offered and the love and support given in so many ways since our fundraising efforts all started in January 2002. The volunteer group of family, friends, wrestlers and parents continue our efforts to raise funds. To date we have raised $76,180 of the $100,000 needed for medications and expenses not covered by insurance. The money left in the fund at this time for his use is $49,616. He still has frequent hospitalization expenses, the pancreas transplant expenses and years of medication expenses to cover. So we really need to raise the remaining $24,000 as soon as possible. The past 6-7 months have been very tough for Coach Leathers with frequent infections, diabetic complications, hospitalizations and delays getting on the pancreas transplant list. The kidney, received last fall and donated by his brother, seems to be functioning very well but with every infection or diabetic complication, the risk of rejection becomes alarmingly high. He hopes to get on the pancreas transplant list by September if he can stay out of the hospital for the next few weeks. Physically he's had a rough road to travel and there are days when that rough road takes a toll on his mental strength. That is why wrestling is so important to Coach Leathers. He continues to use every ounce of strength he has to coach his Triangle Wrestling Club during the school off-season months. He has nearly 60 five year olds up to high school seniors practicing 2-3 times per week and traveling up and down the east coast competing in as many tournaments as possible. On the days he can't get out of bed, Marquee (his oldest son), takes over the practices along with very supportive and understanding parents. No matter how bad he feels, physically or mentally, Coach Leathers wants to teach the young and the old about the benefits of wrestling and how important the wrestling family is to all who get involved. I have enclosed a letter from one of the Triangle Club wrestlers who is helping with our fundraising efforts. I think this 11-year-old wrestler has taken Coach Leathers teachings to heart. Wrestling helps to build strong character as well as strong bodies. We are all looking forward to an exciting wrestling year. Ray and Linda Leathers will certainly be present whenever possible. Coach Leathers is still assisting the coaching staff at Northern High School in Durham, just a little more from the sidelines at this point. We hope he can have his pancreas transplant soon and get on the road to recovery. Until then we thank Sara Koenig for her on-going support of our fundraising efforts and allowing us the use of NCMat to keep you all updated on Coach Leathers' condition. Please support any fundraising efforts being held for Coach Leathers at the various matches and tournaments throughout the year. Your contributions, time, services and prayers mean so much and they all help a man that has given so much to our wrestling family. Thank you all,
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