Our beloved friend, family member, neighbor, athlete, coworker, church and gym member, Eric Bannister, is in desperate need of our help.

Last week, Eric was rushed to St. Anthony Hospital with an infection that nearly cost him his life. What started as an ingrown hair was diagnosed as sepsis, gangrene, and necrotizing fasciitis, primarily affecting his left glute. Eric has undergone two surgeries to remove the dead skin, which extended as deep as six inches, including the removal of skin and tissue around his testicles and perineum. To his surprise, Eric was also diagnosed with diabetes, with uncontrolled blood sugar levels.

I visited Eric yesterday, and he was in good spirits, remaining positive and trusting in the Lord for a full recovery. He is scheduled for another surgery tomorrow for further debridement, as more dead tissue has been discovered. He will also receive a colostomy bag to prevent further infection while his perineum and testicles heal. Eric faces a long road to recovery, with several physicians indicating that he will need skin grafts and reconstructive surgery in the near future.

Eric, like many men, was the primary breadwinner for his family of eight. Several physicians have informed Eric and Amber that the recovery process will take up to six months. Amber works full-time and will continue to do so while also managing Eric's care needs. However, they need our financial and spiritual support now more than ever. Please consider donating whatever you can and keeping Eric and his family in your prayers. Thank you.