By KATHY PAULSEN
Staff Writer
Nobody should have to undergo brain surgery. Especially not a young child.
Christian Reichl, son of Derek and Lisa Reichl of Albert Lea and grandson of Kathy Crabtree of Geneva, Duane and Janice Reichl of Faribault, and Elaine O'Brein of Austin, underwent brain surgery in 2010, when he was only 4 years old.
In 2012, after having a routine MRI, they found the tumor was back. He underwent his second brain surgery at Children's Hospital and, just one month later, doctors ordered Christian to undergo six weeks of specialized Proton Radiation treatments in Chicago, which is the closest proton radiation center to Minnesota.
The radiation treatments were completed just before Christmas 2012. In some ways the radiation treatments could be looked upon as not a very welcomed Christmas present, but they can also be looked upon as a great Christmas present - if they will prevent the benign tumor from ever coming back.Nobody "catches" this horrible disease, and certainly children are not responsible for any action in contracting it. It is hard for the family to deal with and bearing the financial burden makes it even harder. We have so little control over the things that hurt others, but it is gratifying to know we can help ease their pain, even if just a little.
Medical and travel expenses continue to mount for Christian’s family and, as a result, friends of Derek and Lisa are trying to help lessen the burden by organizing a benefit to be held Friday, March 22, from 5-8 p.m. at St. Augustine’s Catholic Church, Jennings Hall, located at 405 4th Ave. NW in Austin. The benefit will include a full pasta bar meal, which will be meatless because of lent, along with salad and garlic bread. A bake sale and silent auction will also be part of the benefit.
Meal tickets can be purchased for $8 at the Accentra Credit Union in Austin or Albert Lea. Tickets are also available from Bobbi Potter at 507-438-4047 or Robin Krueger at 507-433-3633, or can be purchased at the door for $10.
Cash donations are very much welcomed and can be mailed to Kathy Crabtree, Box 45, Geneva, MN 56035; or to the Acentra Credit Union, either at 1619 Blake Avenue, Albert Lea, MN 56035 or 400 4th Avenue, NE, Austin, MN 55912. If you donate, via a check, please make your checks out to Christian Reichl Medical Fund (that way you can get a tax deduction too!).
It gives one a good feeling that when we can spread our love to others it also helps warm your heart, too!