Longtime Shanksville fire chief, who responded on 9/11, in need of heart transplant

The Somerset County area is digging deep to help longtime area firefighter Terry Shaffer, who was Shanksville Volunteer Fire Department’s chief when United Airlines Flight 93 crashed on 9/11.

Shaffer, 66, was admitted last week to UPMC Presbyterian hospital in Pittsburgh for treatment of congestive heart failure, according to his daughter, Rebecca Kuzar. The family hopes he recovers to enable him to have a heart transplant. He was placed on the transplant list in November, his family said.

This week, Shaffer’s family announced a fundraiser to support a potential transplant through the “Heart4Terry” campaign through the National Foundation for Transplants.

“I can tell you Terry’s an awesome man with a great big heart as long as I’ve known him. And I hope the community gives back to his family in this time of need,” said Brad Shober, Shanksville deputy fire chief.

Shaffer has been a firefighter there for 35 years, including 25 years as chief.

Shaffer was among those responding Sept. 11, 2001, near Shanksville.

In addition to responding to fires, he has supported area hazardous materials teams and helped form the department’s dive team, as well as worked for his church and area youth organizations.

“For many, many years, when his health permitted, he would even climb on top of the fire truck dressed as Santa and we would drive up Main Street on our Light Up Night when he would hand out treats to children,” Shober said.

Shaffer’s wife, Kathie, noted on the National Foundation for Transplants webpage that members of the Shanksville fire department assisted in evidence recovery at the scene after Flight 93 crashed. Then her husband took on the role of department public information officer for Flight 93 for the next 20 years.

He also served on the Flight 93 Memorial Task Force, helping to guide creation of a national memorial to honor the passengers and crew and when Flight 93 National Memorial was built.

The fundraiser page listed a $30,000 goal to help the family cover post-transplant expenses, including the costs of post-surgery care and a lifetime’s worth of anti-rejection medication. As of Thursday afternoon, about $12,000 had been raised.

“Health insurance will cover only a portion of the transplant cost,” said Kuzar of Johnstown.

She said her father will need follow-up care and daily anti-rejection medications “for the rest of his life.”

Family members said Shaffer was born with a heart problem.

He is retired on disability after working 45 years with Pepsi-Cola in Cambria County, Kuzar said.

In addition to Rebecca Kuzar, Shaffer has two sons, Adam and Ben Shaffer.

“We really appreciate the support,” Kuzar said.

In addition to online contributions, donations can be mailed to the National Foundation for Transplants, 3249 West Sarazen’s Circle, Suite 1oo, Memphis, TN 38125.

Those contributing by mail should write in honor of Terry Shaffer in the check memo line.