MARION - More than $3,200 was raised for the National Foundation for Transplants in honor of Brad Stauffer in a Nov. 1 scramble at the Lake of Egypt Golf Course. Stauffer is currently awaiting a bone mar-row transplant.

Stauffer was diagnosed in 2000 with chronic lymphocytic leukemia. After years of chemotherapy, doctors say a bone marrow transplant is his only hope for survival.

The average bone marrow transplant costs approximately $500,000. Even with health insurance, Stauffer will face significant expenses related to the procedure. He will need a lifetime of follow-up care and expen-sive daily anti-rejection medications, which could cost as much as $5,000 each month. These medications are as essential to his survival as the transplant itself. He also will incur travel expenses, as the transplant center is nearly 800 miles from his home.

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

The Marion girls AA state golf champions raised $520 for the event. On three par 4 holes, members of the state championship team offered to take tee shots for a $5 donation. For the donation, the girls would hit two tee shots for the team, and the team could choose to use one of the girls' tee shots instead of their own.

Two teams scored 17 under par, resulting in a score card play-off. The first place team included Henry Neicamp, Freddy Schlei, Bill Murphy, Don Sanders and Vance Aikman. Second place winners were Bill Sullivan, Charlie Beasley, Dean Durham, Ron Brown and Dave Murphy. Prizes were awarded for first, middle of the pack and last place.

To make a donation in honor of Stauffer, please mail a tax-deductible donation to the NFT Illinois Bone Marrow Fund, P.O. Box 552, Marion, IL 62959. Please be sure to write "in honor of Brad Stauffer" in the memo line. Secure donations may be made online at www.transplants.org. Click on "Patients We Help" to locate Stauffer.