Community reaches out to help those with life-threatening illnesses
Staff writer
Residents of Hillsboro have once again come to the aid of those in need. Benefits have been held and are being planned for area residents who received news last year and this past year from their doctors of life-threatening illnesses.
Last week, Hillsboro Lions Club along with Marion Christian Church and friends hosted a benefit hamburger fry for Verden Harms who has been diagnosed with melanoma cancer.
According to Lions member Marvin Funk, approximately $3,222 has been raised, so far, for the Harmses to help defray some of the costs they have incurred for treatments and expenses not covered by insurance.
Verden reported after his last checkup July 19-21 the doctors found another tumor behind his left ear.
"I'm waiting for the doctor's office in Houston to call me back and let me know when they will schedule the surgery, so I can begin to make plans," Verden said.
This week, friends of Richard Wall have set up a booth at the Marion County Fair to raffle baskets.
Organizer Becky Lindsay sent notices to parents of the softball team members with whom daughter Holly and the Wall's daughter Julie played while they were growing up.
Lindsay said the parents joined forces and decided to sell chances for baskets in the Friends of Richard Wall booth at the fair.
The baskets contain various items that have been donated by downtown and area businesses as well as those who have home-based businesses and friends.
"The response from the merchants was good," Lindsay said. "They were open and nobody turned us down."
According to Richard's wife JoAnn, who abruptly quit her day-care business of 17 years to be his caregiver, Richard has been diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndrome.
"He doesn't have leukemia as most people think," JoAnn said.
Because there is no standard treatment, the Walls are waiting for a call any day now from the hospital in Kansas City for a stem cell donor match for Richard.
Two of Richard's siblings did not match so they are looking for an unrelated donor through the donor program. Donors must match at least nine or 10 out of 10 and can come from anywhere in the world.
If a match is found, Richard and JoAnn will travel to Kansas City where he will undergo preparation for the stem cell transplant.
The couple will be in a filtered room for the first month. JoAnn had to go through the training to become his caregiver. The entire process takes three months with the first month concentrating on preparing Richard and the donor to get them ready for the stem cell transplant procedure.
Right now, the couple are concentrating on keeping Richard free of colds, fever, or any germs that could make him ill or hinder the transplant.
"We have received so much support from the church and friends — it's just been overwhelming," JoAnn said.
The support has come in several ways. Richard has served as a science instructor at Tabor College for many years. He also grew up a farm and still farms land north of Hillsboro.
Community friends harvested and combined the wheat on his land and Richard was able to go out and see it.
"It was kind and thoughtful for them to do the work he no longer could do," JoAnn said.
Also, a Richard Wall fund has been established at Emprise Bank in Hillsboro.
Next week, a benefit meal will be held for longtime farmer and former fair board member Merle Decker, who has been diagnosed with gastric adenacarcinoma.
According to Hillsboro United Methodist pastor Laney Kuhn, the HUM men with the help from the women will sponsor a benefit meal for the Deckers to defray some of the cost of travel, meals, lodging, etc.
The Deckers traveled to Houston to receive Merle's first treatment but Merle wanted to return home to be closer to his family. He will see doctors in Wichita and will continue his treatment in Newton.
The Deckers received help with their farm work from putting up hay and looking after the cattle to working the fields from those in the Marion County area.
"Everything has been done," said wife Kathy. "Words can't describe how we feel.
"It has been overwhelming and we're just beginning to go through the process," she added.
The Deckers have received numerous cards, letters, and phone calls from friends close by and from those they have not seen or heard from in years.
"The support helps keep up our hope, faith, and trust in God," Kathy said.
Pastor Laney Kuhn summed it up in his statement when he said, "The Hillsboro community is open to help people in need because we are believers of the faith."
Editor's Note: The Hillsboro Star-Journal staff wanted to highlight the various benefits that are being held for those suffering from life-threatening illnesses. We wanted the public to be informed and thus support those efforts.
We have heard of others in the community who are suffering from similar diseases, but those featured this week were the ones our office received information about and the benefits that are being held in our community for them.
It is not our intention to exclude anyone but to publicize the benefits and to tell a little of each man's story.
