Benefit Planned Sunday to Help with Transplant Bills

A benefit to help the family of a University of St. Thomas student with medical expenses will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. this Sunday, Aug. 23, at O'Gara's Bar and Grill at the corner of Snelling and Selby avenues in St. Paul.

The benefit is being held for the family of Nancy Fragale. Her daughter, Rachel, will be a sophomore this fall at St. Thomas. When Rachel was 5 she was diagnosed with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, a disease that caused her kidneys to fail. Rachel received a new kidney in 2006, but years of medical bills have put the family into significant debt.

Friends of the family have organized the Sunday benefit, called "Fragale Family Benefit-on-a-Stick" (hey, it's State Fair time). The event will include food, live music by Jacob's Well and a silent auction. Admission is $25 at the door.

For more information contact Carrie Peltier at pelt.cellen@gmail.com.