RICH CREEK, Va. -Alfred Steven Lucas was a 50-year-old man from Princeton West Virginia who loved to work out, spend time outdoors, play his guitar and much more.
When Lucas entered his late twenties, he was placed on permanent disability due to a condition in his brain known as AVM’s. In the following years, many surgeries followed, including many abdominal procedures. Eventually, Lucas had to have his small intestine removed.
His doctors in Pittsburgh looked to give him a second chance with a transplant. But Lucas’ body rejected the organ, but his niece says Lucas still had enough fight in him to keep pushing forward.
“He would have to spend the first couple of years there in Pittsburgh. Just because he had to stay close to the hospital and he would have to go through a lot of treatment and stuff. But they said if they could get the infection cleared up, get him back on his feet, and get him well again, then they would put him back on the transplant list,” said Kayla Munsey, Niece of Lucas.
The family planned a fundraiser to help with mounting costs. When planning for the event started, Lucas was alive and the hope was he’d attend as guest of honor, in his absence, the family is holding onto the hope the community will continue to rally to help.
It was September 2, 2024, when the family gathered around as Lucas took his last breath.
“We’re just so grateful for each and every business and each and every person that has supported us, and I know that Steve, I mean, he was so excited for this. I know that from the bottom of his heart, he would be saying, “thank you.””
In a final request, were told Lucas asked that help was given to, not only to relieve the financial burdens he faced, but the mentally burdens he knew his family would face in his absence.
Doctors could not explain how Lucas made it through the battles he endured, but his family believes he had angels all around him. Before he transitioned from this life, but not without touching more lives before he passed.
Copyright 2024 WVVA. All rights reserved.