I believe everyone in the North Carolina wrestling community is familiar with the story of Ray Leathers. I first became aware of Ray's battle with  diabetes during the 2001-02 season, when I received an email from Sherri Thompson. Sherri's son Wesley wrestled in the Triangle Wrestling Club for Coach Leathers, and she was writing to let me know of the efforts underway to raise money for Ray's medical bills. Due to the progression of his diabetes, Ray was in need of a kidney and a pancreas transplant, and $100,000 was the amount required to cover the bills.

I had known Ray for a couple of years, and I was surprised to hear about his illness. He always had a smile on his face, and I was amazed that he could be so upbeat while going through such a difficult time.

Wanting to help any way that I could, I posted information on NC Mat about the fundraising efforts of the wrestlers and parents from Northern Durham, where Ray coached. Immediately, the rest of the North Carolina wrestling family jumped in to do their part. Listed below are examples of the ways that we all came together to support a member of our family who needed help.

On the morning of June 30, 2004, I received several emails from parents at Northern Durham, telling me that Ray's long battle with diabetes had finally ended. He had passed away the night of June 29. This news came just 5 days after I had been hospitalized and diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. In the days following my diagnosis, I had thought of Ray often, and I was stunned to receive the news of his death.

The quote at the top of this page says "a life isn't significant except for its impact on other lives." I know that I am a stronger person from having known Ray, and witnessing his family, as well as his extended wrestling family, come together to stand behind him in his battle. Ray and his family are truly an inspiration to me.

To Ray's family - his wife Lynn, and his sons Marquee and Demario, I hope that you can find some comfort in knowing that Ray had a significant impact on the lives of so many people, and his strength and spirit will live on through you and those that he touched

- Sara Koenig, NC Mat Editor

TRIBUTE TO COACH RAY LEATHERS Of all the updates on Coach Ray Leathers I have had to write over the past 2 years, this is the most difficult but also the most important. Coach Ray Leathers died June 29, 2004 at 35 years of age. He (with his wife Lynn and sons Marquee and Demario at his side) had battled diabetes and renal failure and had been through kidney dialysis, kidney transplant, pancreas transplant, loss of the pancreas and numerous battles with infections, complications and many long hospitalizations. Yet his death was unexpected ­ because he always pulled through. During his short life, he served a great purpose. He was teacher and coach, father and husband, and he was our friend. He helped shape the wrestling community into an even closer wrestling family. His illness and fundraising efforts brought us all together for a common cause ­ to help someone in need. That purpose provided the opportunity to get to know wrestling families from near and far, meet people young and old, from all walks of life, all colors and socio-economic levels. That purpose allowed us to increase awareness and educate about diabetes, organ donation and transplantation surgery. That purpose allowed us to learn about a man that used wrestling as his tool to impact so many young men's lives. That is why this update is so important. To Ray, wrestling was an opportunity to build character as well as muscle, to develop discipline as well as skill and to emphasize doing your best both on the mat and throughout life. He was always an example of those life lessons. He loved his wrestlers, not just at Northern Durham High School and the Triangle Wrestling Club, but wrestlers from all over. He expected much from wrestlers, but he gave much support and encouragement in return. We will all carry a bit of Ray in our hearts forever and we'll see his influence in his wrestlers as they grow to adulthood. We must continue the legacy of Coach Ray Leathers- to remember the things he taught both on and off the mat and to always be willing to give of your time and talents to help others. We can pay tribute to Coach Leathers in other ways. We must continue to advocate, educate and talk about organ donation and the importance of being an organ donor. It is important that we talk about organ donation so that others can receive that gift of life as Ray did ­ even if it was for just a brief time. We must continue to help others in need. There is an Arab proverb that says "If you have much, give of your wealth; if you have little, give of your heart." That is how Ray lived his life ­ he gave his heart to all of our sons and to the sport of wrestling. Efforts are underway to create the Coach Ray Leathers Courage Award in memory of Coach Leathers. Details will be forthcoming on NCMat.com. There is a "Leathers Family College Fund" established for those interested in making a memorial contribution to Ray's family. Checks are payable to "Leathers Family College Fund" and mailed to Mt. Calvary Missionary Baptist Church, PO Box 171, Bahama, NC 27503. For those wanting to contact the family, the address is "The Leathers Family, 10003 Wilkins Road, Bahama, NC 27503. Ray's Volunteer Committee wishes to sincerely thank Sara and NCMat.com for their continued support. We also thank the many wrestlers, teams, schools and families who participated in fundraising activities, large or small. Ray was so often overwhelmed by everyone's generosity, love and support. He appreciated everyone's efforts and told us he loved us often, and he meant it every time. Coach Leathers always said, "Leave it on the mat ­ but only after you have given your best." We walk off the mat, heads held high because we all gave our best ­ Ray most of all. - Pat & Jim Lovell Co-chairs Coach Leathers Volunteer Committee

Pictures of Coach Leathers in action

• UPDATE SEPTEMBER 7, 2003

  • 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.
    Continued......

Coach Ray Leathers, Still on the Mat - fighting to pin his biggest opponent, Diabetes - by Sherri Thompson

Coach seeks to pin kidney woes, Durham Herald-Sun, Feb 5

National Foundation for Transplants - official website. Visit Ray's Patient Campaign Page by selecting the link at the left, then selecting his name from the pulldown menu

Make Online Donations - through the NTF website. Select Raymond Leathers from the Patient menu

OR

Mail your donation to:

National Foundation for Transplants-Raymond Leathers
PO Box 71115
Durham, NC 27722