Proctor Journal

A spaghetti dinner - bake sale - silent auction benefit will be held Sun., Jan. 27, 2008 for Steve Voltzke. The event is at Foster’s Sports Bar and Grill, 4767 West Arrowhead Rd., Hermantown from 1 – 6 p.m.

Steve, who graduated from Proctor High School in 1970, had polycystic kidney disease but was relatively healthy. However, following a tonsillectomy in Nov. of 2003 he was diagnosed with mantle cell lymphoma, which is a rare and hard to treat cancer. A total body scan was ordered and revealed a baseball-size tumor in his left kidney. That kidney was removed prior to Christmas 2003. Chemotherapy was started in Feb. 2004. Then in Dec. 2005 cysts ruptured twice necessitating drainage and he was referred to Mayo Clinic. In March of 2007 his right kidney was removed and he has lived without kidneys. He has dialysis three times per week/five hours per day.

His brother Karl has been determined to be a match and a suitable donor. Steve must stay in Rochester for thirty days after the transplant for monitoring, testing, anti-rejection drugs, etc.

The benefit will help with expenses incurred by the family while in Rochester.

Your presence and/or donation is greatly appreciated.