Benefit scheduled for Tolono man battling leukemia
TOLONO – Bart Easton has always faced life's challenges in his own way, says cousin Jill Davis. But after a diagnosis of acute myelogenous leukemia this fall, friends and family are stepping up to help Easton with his battle to beat the disease.
The longtime Tolono resident was able to return home last week after a lengthy stay and treatment at Rush Medical Center in Chicago. The single father had been unemployed as a union glass specialist since January. Daughter Savannah, 19, has been looking after her two younger sisters, Shanna, 13, and Shelby, 9, with the help of family and friends.
"(Easton) is his own man and does what he needs to do, but he's always there for others, too," Davis said.
A committee of family and friends are organizing a benefit from 2 p.m. to close Saturday at Lu and Denny's, located along Illinois 45 in Tolono, to help the Easton family with medical and living expenses. There will be musical entertainment, raffles and lots of family fun. Davis says a DJ will play music in the afternoon, and a live band is planned for later. A meal will be served, and donations will be appreciated. 50/50 raffle tickets are available in advance for $5 apiece or five for $20.
Easton will start another round of chemotherapy Nov. 23 to prepare his body for a stem cell transplant. Davis says his doctors at Rush are "phenomenal," and they are hopeful for the stem cell transplant to be a success.
"He has the best attitude and I think that's 60 percent of the battle," she said.
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