Friends and family of Cicero Bethea are planning another fundraiser to help him toward his goal of gaining a heart transplant.

Bethea has to raise $12,000, the equivalent of two years worth of copays, before the hospital will operate.

The new fundraiser will raffle off a 22-inch flat screen television valued at $300.

Tickets are a $1. You do not have to be present to win.

There was a benefit plate sale for the Marston man on Oct. 10 that raised about $2,500.

Bethea's wife, Pamela, said a total of about $5,800 has been raised since June.

She said it is hoped that the operation will restore her husband's health and help him resume a more active lifestyle.

he is doing the best he can, but it is a constant struggle with infections," Pamela Bethea said. "We're on the way back to Duke now."

Heart transplants are costly procedures that involve a great deal of specialized care, as well as time in the hospital. The cost of a heart transplant may vary according to the hospital providing the transplant, the area of the country the operation takes place in, and the status of the patient's health.

According to Transplant Living, the average total cost of a single heart transplant in 2007 was $658,800. This figure includes the cost of obtaining a donor heart, at an average of nearly $90,000, about $23,000 in evaluation fees, $40,000 for doctor's fees, $383,000 in hospital costs, $93,000 in post-operative care, and over $29,000 for immunosuppressive prescription medications.

One may donate to the Cicero and Pamela Bethea Heart Fund at First Capital Bank in Laurinburg at 909 S. main St,, Laurinburg.

For information about ticket, call 277-7909.