To families that have been on the giving and serving side of community area needs, the Leesburg/Highland County community has widespread cooperation in giving back. A host of supporters recently met to organize a dinner, auction and basketball tournament to benefit Dawna Jo Kiesling and her daughter, Lynnette (Kiseling) Shanton. The event is scheduled for May 6 at the Fairfield Local Schools with dinner serving beginning at 5:30 p.m.
Just after Christmas, Leesburg was jolted to learn that 32-year-old Lynnette (Kiesling) Shanton had been diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer after detection of a grapefruit-sized abdominal tumor. Just six weeks later, several tests to detect a reason for stomach problems revealed that her mother, Dawna Jo, also had a malignant tumor; hers is on her pancreas.
Both are undergoing chemotherapy, and both have had negative side-effects, but there is big hope that they will pull through. Both have had to miss work. Shanton, however, has been able to return to her job in spite of a chemotherapy pack attached to her.
The Kiesling family has been longtime supporters of activities in Highland County and the Fairfield schools. Dean and Dawna Jo Kiesling’s three children are all Fairfield High School graduates: Jarrod, 2000; Lynnette, 2002; and Lydia, 2004.
Refer to Facebook.com/2motherskiesling for more information and register your intention to attend for help in determining the amount of food to prepare. However, the registering is just to help in determining food needs; it is not required to attend.
Nellda Friend is a Leesburg area resident.
