A spaghetti dinner and raffle fundraiser will be held Feb. 19 to help the Robert Pukitis family with heart transplant and related medical expenses.

Bob Pukitis of Burien suffered a near fatal heart attack Aug. 26 while vacationing near Spokane with his wife, Nan-C-Lee.

Initially, she was informed that he most likely would not survive. However, doctors were able to get him stable enough to implant a mechanical heart in his abdomen.

Unfortunately this was only a temporary solution.

Pukitis received a donor heart Nov. 9 at Spokane’s Sacred Heart Hospital. Now, however, he is experiencing some indications of rejection and is fighting hard to overcome them while undergoing physical therapy.

It will be some time before doctors know if this transplant is successful, and if Pukitis will be able to resume a normal life.

Pukitis has worked in Burien for the past 16 years as a service advisor for Glen Grant Chevrolet, now known as Burien Chevrolet.

Nan-C-Lee is self-employed and is now giving full-time care to her husband.

The Sons of Italy Lodges (Seattle Fedele 1390, Renton 1967 and Burien Piccola #2657) will prepare and host the dinner at the Des Moines United Methodist Church, 22225 Ninth Ave. S. in Des Moines, from 1 to 5 p.m.

Tickets are $10 each and are available in the Service Department of Burien Chevrolet, 206-243-6450 or 206-854-1720, and may also be purchased at the door.

Donations of items for the raffle are being accepted at Burien Chevrolet.

All proceeds will go toward Pukitis’s mounting medical bills and house payments as well as the rent on their apartment in Spokane.

For more information or to donate via Paypal or Visa/Master Card, go to www.pleasehelpbob.com.

In addition, there is a fund at Wells Fargo Bank in Robert Pukitis’s name.