By Norma McLean
Staff Writer

Joyce Fuller needs a liver, but a transplant isn’t inexpensive.

Fortunately for her, church members at Spears Creek Baptist Church in Elgin have pitched in to help her pay medical expenses.

Mrs. Fuller, 37, wife of the Rev. Stanley Fuller, pastor of Spears Creek, is at the Mayo Clinic In Rochester, Minn., where she is fourth on a list of 11 transplant patients waiting for livers.

To help with expenses, church members have bought a lot and supplied labor to build a $66,900 1,200-square-foot, three bedroom, two-bathroom house with a fireplace at 113 Tamwood Lane in Briarcliff, a subdivision of Pontiac. They hope to finish the house within the next 45 days.

Most of the cost will be for the land and materials.

“We hope to clear $35,000 with the sale of the house,” said church member Swayze Legrand.

The surgery is expected to cost $175,000, and 80 percent should be covered by insurance. The church hopes eventually to raise enough money to pay the difference, $35,000.

After the transplant, medication will cost from $8,000 to $12,000 a year, and an annual checkup, $5,000. So far, about $25,000 has been raised. The money has come from churches, organizations and individuals. Some of it has gone for doctors’ bills, medication and transportation.

“The congregation has been the wonderful one I have ever had in my life,” Fuller said, “and the response from the community has been wonderful. We appreciate everything.”

“Everyone in the church is pitching in and willing to do whatever they can to help the pastor and his family,” said member Debra Legrand, wife of Swayze Legrand.

Church members are holding bake sales and craft sales and taking up collections in Sunday school classes, said Jackie Amerson, director of the Women’s Missionary Union.

“We’re all looking for a miracle,” Ms. Amerson said.

Mrs. Fuller became ill in April with a rare liver disease, primary sclerosing cholangitis.

“Waiting is the hardest part,” Fuller said. “Joyce will be the first person from South Carolina to get a liver transplant at the Mayo Clinic, if she gets one.”

Fuller speaks with her by phone frequently and said her health is getting worse. Since her illness, she has lost 40 pounds and is getting weaker.

To donate building materials and supplies, call Legrand at 788-8040. Contributions may be made to The Joyce Fuller Fund, c/o Spears Creek Baptist Church, 116 Spears Creek Church Lane, Elgin 29045, Attention: Swayze Legrand.