A benefit dinner for Kristi Karr-Morgan’s medical expenses raised more than $2,000. And the Northern Heights teacher undergoing treatment for cancer plans to attend the next scheduled fundraiser.
Karr-Morgan was visiting family in Finland on June 28 when she ended up in the hospital with pneumonia. Doctors found a tumor in her lung that was diagnosed in the United States as a small-cell carcinoma confined to the left lung. Karr-Morgan just finished her second of six chemotherapy treatments and is about to commence radiation treatments five days a week for six weeks.
Friends and family have been working to raise money to pay for more than $20,000 in medical bills from Finland as well as the cost of a special flight back to the United States. Because Karr-Morgan was on oxygen, she could not fly commercially.
On Sunday, a spaghetti dinner in Reading raised $2,134.60 according to organizer Barbara Schlobohm. The check was given to Karr-Morgan’s parents, Bob and Elaine Karr, to deposit in the Kristi Karr Morgan Medical Fund at Lyon County State Bank.
“A huge thank-you to everyone who worked and who donated to such a meaningful cause,” Schlobohm said after the event.
Two more fundraisers are planned.
On Aug. 11, a 5K fun run and walk is planned from 7 to 9 p.m. at The Orchard, owned by Karr-Morgan’s parents. It’s also the home course for the Northern Heights cross country team, which Karr-Morgan has coached in the past. Last season, she was a track coach for the school.
On Saturday, Karr-Morgan posted to the run’s event page that she planned to attend the event. She’ll have a chance to catch up with friends and students. NHHS seniors who are not running or walking have been asked to help with the event. Karr-Morgan is one of their class sponsors.
Registrations for the run and walk are on the North Lyon County school district website, www.usd251.org.
On Aug. 14, the Americus Presbyterian Church as well as family and friends will serve lasagna dinners at the Americus School cafeteria from 5 to 7 p.m. Dinners cost $5. A silent auction will be offered during the dinner.
Anyone with items to donate for the auction may call Brenda at 342-0406.
Donations for the medical fund may be sent to any Lyon County State Bank branch. The donations are not tax-deductible.
cyberspace (anonymous) says...
My heart goes out to Kristi. I hope she is able to beat her cancer. This is just another in a seemingly endless string of stories where our healthcare system has failed. It's outrageous that her insurance company won't cover her expenses in Finland or her trip home. We have people who want to repeal the healthcare reforms that have been won for ordinary folks? It is very difficult to understand why.
August 3, 2010 at 6:33 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )