Dear Mr. (Joe) Howell, Upstate Carolina Medical Center Administrator:

On July 10, I had the misfortune of being stung by fire ants and went into anaphylactic shock. I was working at our flooring store on Hampshire Drive.

EMS personnel was called from Upstate Medical and I was carried to the hospital. By this time, I had lost consciousness and was not aware of my condition. I have been told by family and friends that ER Doctor Clara Gulyas and staff saved my life.

I wish to express my thanks for the professional and skilled attention given to me and my family. You will forever be appreciated by me as I feel I owe my life to the staff at Upstate Carolina Medical Center. Thanks, Floyd & Carolyn Watson Gaffney, S.C.