Benefit Set For Ailing Firefighter on newstalkradiowhio.com

Benefit Set For Ailing Firefighter

06/10/2008 07:20:27

NEW CARLISLE, Ohio -- Scotty and April Wilson hadn't even been married for six months when they got the grim news that Scotty had been diagnosed with terminal cancer.

The veteran New Carlisle firefighter was told late last year he had contracted cancer of the esophagus, which spread to his liver and lymph nodes.

"We haven't even had time to take each other for granted," April Wilson said of her new husband.

But while their new couple are struggling, friends, family and Scotty's co-workers have chipped in over the past few months to help them pay bills, and provide what comfort they can. Those efforts will all come together in a large fundraiser and raffle on June 22 at the Sacred Heart Center in New Carlisle. Proceeds from the event will help April Wilson and her family pay their bills.

The event will include live entertainment, a spaghetti dinner, homemade desserts, a raffle and auction that will offer items like an iPod, themed gift baskets and a La-Z-Boy chair.

Jane Manemann, a close friend of Scotty's for more than 30 years, was not surprised by the outpouring of support for the firefighter she describes as an easy-going man with a head full of snow-white hair. Scotty, she said, developed close relationships with many of his co-workers, as well as others in the city over the years.

"I think Scotty has always been a jovial, friendly person with very deep roots in New Carlisle," Manemann said.

Scotty has served as a firefighter in the city on and off for about 30 years. Recently, they set up a truck on Main Street in New Carlisle and asked residents to drop donations into their boots.

While the fund raiser will ideally help the Wilson family, April Wilson said she also hopes the situation will influence others to learn more about cancer and seek medical help early.

"If this experience could prompt one person to go to their doctor a little early, then it wouldn't have been totally in vain," she said.

(Article courtesy of www.springfieldnewssun.com)