OJAI : Fund-Raising Drive Launched for Ill Boy

Aaron Clement’s active life took a hard turn in December when the 14-year-old Ojai boy learned that he has a malignant tumor on his liver.

Since then he has undergone two unsuccessful surgeries and six months of chemotherapy and is about to start radiation therapy. His doctors say he needs a liver transplant and other surgery, but his family’s health insurance won’t cover most of the cost.

However, friends in Ojai have launched a fund-raising campaign, and their efforts so far have yielded donations of about $5,000.

“We need $100,000 to get on a donor list,” said Annie Luftenburg, Aaron’s mother.

She said the family’s health insurance will pay $200,000 toward the transplant. But it costs $300,000 just to get on the list, and the cost of the operation and post-surgical care will bring the total to $450,000.

She said her son still has his “spirit and confidence,” although he has lost his hair from the chemotherapy, is battling an infection and tires easily.

“Some days he feels normal, and other days he takes it easy,” she said.

To assist Aaron, several fund-raising events have been scheduled:

* The Double J Market in Meiners Oaks has scheduled a bake sale at 10 a.m. Tuesday.

* The Women of the Ojai Valley Moose Lodge No. 1417 will host a barbecue, dance, horseshoe tournament and auction on Sept. 12, beginning at 11 a.m., at the Moose Lodge in Oak View.

* Another benefit will be held Sept. 19 at Camp Comfort near Ojai, featuring a barbecue, auction, games and live entertainment.

* Illusions Theatre will stage a benefit show, “Walking in My Moccasins” and “National American Myths, Legends and Stories,” at 5 p.m. Sept. 27 at the Libbey Bowl.

Donation cartons have been placed in Ojai Valley businesses, and two local businesses, Ruben’s Burritos and Domino’s Pizza, are competing to see which can raise the most funds.

Contributions also may be made in Aaron’s name at any Bank of A. Levy and Ojai Valley Bank. For more information, call Charlene Fitzgerald at 646-7766.