THE CITY REBORN FROM THE ASHES OF AMERICA'S MOST DISASTROUS FOREST FIRE
PUMP GAS - Deputy Kurt Kostuch of the Marinette County Sheriff's Department is pictured pumping gas into a vehicle owned by Katie Van De Walle on Sunday, Feb. 20 for the Pumping For a Purpose fundraiser in Peshtigo. Over $12,000 was raised before the match from Krist Food Mart Pictured left to right: Peshtigo Police Officer Steven Kessler, Deputy Kostuch, Katie Van De Walle, Peshtigo Mayor Cathi Malke, volunteers Kris Karpowitz and Brandy Sabel. Bottom Photo: Left to right: Debbie Sievert, Seth Berman, Katie Berman look on as Deputy Brandon Miller of the Oconto County Sheriff's Department pumps some gas into a vehicle at Krist Food Mart.
Police Pumping For Purpose Raises Over $12,000 For Cancer Victims
Issue Date: February 23, 2022
Thanks to community participation over $12,000 was raised on Sunday for the Peshtigo Police Pumping for a Purpose fundraiser held at the three gas stations in the City of Peshtigo. They were Krist Food Mart who also matched money raised at their store, The Store and Peshtigo Shell. Approximately 4,000 gallons of gas was pumped at the three stores. Money raised will go to help two members of the Peshtigo area who are battling cancer. They are two and a half year old Vega Ellis and 18 year old Kody Klimek.
Vega Ellis's parents noticed some areas of prolonged bruising. In January of 2021 she was diagnosed with Acute Megakaryoblastic Leukemia (AMKL) and began receiving treatments immediately. In August of 2021, Vega received a short break in treatment in hopes she wouldn't need any further interventions. In December of 2021 the family was hoping to receive good news, but instead they heard the news that her labs were not good and the treatments needed to resume. The now two and a half year old Vega is currently receiving treatments for AMKL at the Children's Hospital of Milwaukee.
Klimek was diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma December 2021. Ewings Sarcoma is a cancerous tumor that grows in the bones or tissues around bones, often spreading to the legs, pelvis, ribs, arms or spine. It can spread to the lungs and bone marrow. Kody's cancer started in his knee and tibia and has already spread from there to his lungs and pelvis. Kody is currently receiving treatment and care at the Children's Hospital of Milwaukee.
Spearheading the fund raiser was Peshtigo Police Chief Fred Popp and Katie Berman. A total of 12 officers from several departments and 10 civilian volunteers helped out with activities during the event.
Departments that participated included City of Peshtigo Police Department, Marinette County Sheriff's Department, Marinette Police Department and Oconto County Sheriff's Department. Officers were also able to interact with the public as they stopped by to gas up or drop off a donation.