BERWICK, COLUMBIA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — When you think of the Bloomsburg Fair, the sights, the sounds, and the smells are usually the first things that come to mind. But, the fair looks much different this year through the eyes of Berwick native Fred Fausnaught Jr., because this will likely be his last. Fred has stage four lung cancer, and it's spreading.
He and his wife, Stacey, wanted to attend the fair one more time, but money was a big concern.After catching wind of their story, the Bloomsburg Fair board gave the couple the VIP treatment, free of charge.
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"It felt real good because I didn't think we were going to be able to go because of my health and the money issue. It really made me dumbfounded because I didn't think anyone even knew me.," Fred told 28/22 News.
The experience included passes, food, and a Christian rock concert.
"We had people down there who were buying us food, and we also got to go to a concert," Fred said.
"When Dr. Russ called me and said they were going to give us VIP tickets to see a Christian singer, I bawled," Stacey said.
The Fausnaught's say faith has been important on this journey.
"My husband kept telling everybody that he thought that this was his karma because he hasn't been the best husband to me, and I told him that god is more forgiving than we are, and if I could forgive him, God could forgive him," Stacey added.
"I'm hoping I'm going to heaven because I believe in God, but I don't know. It's hard to, I don't know," Fred confessed.
The couple is struggling to get together the funds to pay for his final days and funeral services.The Fausnaught's are hosting a chicken and waffle benefit on October 4, and are hoping the community will show their support. Donations began pouring in early this month when the benefit was announced. They say more than $3,000 has been raised.
"It means more to me than anyone, like will ever know. I can't thank anybody enough. He's my life. He's my best friend. He's my soul mate. He's my everything," Stacey said.
The benefit will be held Saturday, October 4, from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Berwick VFW. Tickets are $15.
The couple has been together for 23 years and just welcomed their first grandchildren over the summer.
