Ret. Band Director Nees Your Help!

My name is Ronnie Gleason, band director at Kaplan High School. The purpose of this message is to ask for your help for fellow musician and former educator, Bill Raxsdale. Mr. Raxsdale was my band director at Carencro High School, my co-worker at St. Thomas More High School and he has been my friend and mentor for many years. As some of you may know, Bill suffered a fall on the practice field at Carencro High School in 1986 when a raised platform collapsed, severely injuring his spine. Most recently, Bill was found to have kidney cancer. He underwent the necessary medical diagnostics to clear him for surgery. Unfortunately, an angiogram revealed heart blockages that required him to have heart bypass surgery before he could be cleared to have surgery for the cancer. Sadly, following the heart bypass surgery, his bypass grafts failed. He then developed pancreatitis and has just been released from Lafayette General Medical Center. He will require a lot of follow-up treatment, including cancer surgery. Bill lives alone and is not able to work to supplement his Social Security due to his health issues. Therefore, he will need help pay the mounting medical expenses and to help supplement his income while he is physically unable. As a teacher and mentor, Bill Raxsdale has influenced the lives and careers of many musicians in our community. It is my hope that fellow teachers, musicians, friends, and former students will find it in their hearts to offer both the moral and financial support that Bill really needs at this time.