Diagnosed with Hepatitis C in 1996, WERU radio personality Charlie Oldham of Lincolnville has been on the waiting list for a liver transplant since 2003.

However, with his condition deteriorating rapidly, he is now scheduled to receive part of his sister’s liver in April.

And while the basic cost for the operation is covered by insurance, remaining out-of-pocket deductible expenses for both families will probably exceed $20,000.

To help cover those costs, friends of Oldham are hosting a Valentine’s Benefit Dance, Auction and Dinner, with doors opening at 5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 12, at the Blue Goose Dance Hall on Route 1 in Northport.

Headlining the benefit is Johnny Hoy & the Bluefish, which is described as a dance-floor friendly rock, rhythm and blues band.

The event includes a silent auction, spaghetti dinner, live auction and dance. Proceeds will be used for Oldham’s operation.

Admission is a suggested donation of $20 for the entire evening or $15 after 10 p.m., for the dance only.

Dinner will be served from 6 to 7 p.m., and Rosey Gerry picks up the gavel for the live auction at 7:30 p.m.

Hoy and the Bluefish come on stage for your dancing pleasure at 9 p.m..

Everyone, of all ages, is invited to attend this smoke-free, chemical-free event.

Donations for the auction will be gratefully accepted up to Friday, Feb. 11, and can be made by calling Laine Alexander at 338-4584.

More information about the dance can be obtained by calling Howard Gallagher at 338-3890.

If you cannot attend but want to help Oldham and his sister, donations can be made to Charlie’s Transplant Account #5417244 and mailed to Camden National Bank, P.O. Box 310, Camden 04843.

Glynn Porter reminds you that “time is getting short for all you diamond lovers” to enter the Health Services Foundation Fourth Annual Diamond Ring Raffle, which this year features three prizes: A 1.5 carat ring valued at $8,000; a diamond pendant; and a Hot Diamond sterling silver bracelet.

The winning tickets will be drawn at noon Monday, Feb. 14, at Courtyard Caf? in Houlton.

Tickets are just $20 each and are available at Goodrich Jewelry Store, Aroostook Milling, F. A. Peabody Co., Houlton Regional Hospital Gift Shop and the Health Services Foundation office, all in Houlton.

Purchases can be made by using MasterCard or Visa, and more information can be obtained by calling the Health Services Foundation at 532-2900, ext. 147 or ext. 403.

Proceeds will help meet equipment, program and educational needs of nonprofit health care providers in the Aroostook County area.

One of my Bangor Daily News colleagues, Lisa Reed, and her 9-year-old daughter had a scary experience on the way to work one Thursday last month.

As Lisa attempted to get off the I-395 Exit 3 onto Main Street in Bangor, she realized the exit had been plowed in and, before she knew it, her car had stalled “and I was sitting in very deep snow,” she explained.

She put on her hazard lights to alert other drivers she was stuck, and her daughter, in the back seat, asked what they were going to do.

Lisa told her someone would stop and help.

Unfortunately, they waited and waited as several “privately owned trucks with plows” passed and “plowed us in even more,” Lisa said.

As more cars and large trucks passed, Lisa began to worry they might get hit from behind.

Just as she was getting out her cell phone to call for help, a black pickup pulled into the snowbank in front of them.

The driver approached and told her not to worry; he would shovel her out.

“It took this man a good 15 minutes to do so,” Lisa remembered.

As she tried to thank him, asking for his name and telephone number, “he just said it was OK and that his name was Steve.”

That was when her daughter made “a startling comment,” Lisa said.

“Mom, I guess God really does send us angels when we need them.

“That man’s name was Steve!”

It took a minute or two for Lisa to realize what her daughter really meant.

“My daughter’s dad died when she was young,” Lisa explained.

“His name was Steve.”

To the Guardian Angel Steve in the black truck, Lisa Reed thanks you “so much for helping us when nobody else would.”

Joni Averill, Bangor Daily News, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor 04402; 990-8288.