Fundraiser Started for Longtime SMART Member Facing Mounting Medical & Travel Expenses 

Brother Jonathon “Ray” Pierce of Local 1328 (Louisville, KY) a Norfolk Southern Conductor and Engineer, is known as a hard worker who always has a smile on his face.   

 Now, he and his family are dealing with an incredibly challenging situation as he travels to Houston for unexpected medical treatment.   

 A GoFundMe campaign has been set up to assist Brother Pierce and his family with medical and travel expenses as they prepare to make the trip to Houston this month.  

  In July, doctors found a large, aggressive tumor on Brother Pierce’s spine.  

 Although the tumor itself is benign, its placement is rare and requires more specialized treatment.  

 He underwent surgery and began treatment to shrink the tumor, but his doctors have suggested that he seek a second opinion at the MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, making his trip this month necessary.  

Local Chairperson Ken Montfort, also of Local 1328, told SMART News, “Ray is always the nicest guy in the room. He’s the kind of railroader who’s always smiling and always has time to answer a new hire’s question. He goes out of his way to take an interest in people. I hope we can rally around Ray and be the positive change he needs to write a new chapter in his story.  

 Throughout his time as a conductor and following his promotion to an engineer, Brother Pierce has remained a dedicated SMART member for nearly 20 years, and he and his family are beloved throughout the community.  

 As we enter the holiday season and embrace the spirit of giving, please consider helping to ease his family’s burden during this difficult time by making a contribution if you are able to do so.  Let’s show Brother Pierce and his children what being part of the SMART-TD union family is all about.