Family, friends will celebrate evangelist Billy Graham’s 96th birthday, forgoing large party

By The Associated Press

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Forget about another big birthday blowout for the Rev. Billy Graham.

Graham plans to celebrate his 96th birthday Friday with family and friends. Last year, 900 people attended a party for the North Carolina-born evangelist at an Asheville hotel.

His son, the Rev. Franklin Graham, said Wednesday that his father is in good spirits, he’s eating well, and his mind is still sharp. Two weeks after last year’s party, Graham was hospitalized for two days for observation and lung tests. Graham uses a wheelchair and has been hospitalized for several health-related issues the past few years.

Franklin Graham commented on his father’s birthday following a news conference announcing that his international charity, Samaritan’s Purse, was sending 90 tons (82 metric tons) of supplies to battle West Africa’s Ebola outbreak.

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