Cards, letters and donations sought for Justin

I got some bad news from Lisa Wetzel this week. Former Gardnerville resident Justin Stegemann, who has been fighting neuroblastoma, isn't doing very well.

Lisa said folks had hoped Justin would be able to come back and visit his former home, but doctors have said he is too sick to fly.

Justin has been battling the cancer for 31Ú2 years and his family sold their home here in 2004 to help pay for his treatment.

Justin has a myspace.com Web site at www.myspace/gojustingo that has information about how to contact them.

"Through Pop Warner we are encouraging people to send cards and letters to Justin and the family to show their support," Lisa said. "Justin in on his last legs. They've tried two experimental programs that have kind of slowed it down. They were looking at putting him in a new trial program, but when they did the preliminary testing, it showed his lung cancer had exploded."

Anyone wishing to send a note of support or a donation to help out may contact Justin's father, David Stegemann, c/o Ronald McDonald House, 405 East 73rd Street, New York, NY 10021.

"We're all signing a big banner," Wetzel said. "If someone wants to send some money, they could use it."

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Minden resident Kerry Dinardo is travelling to Los Angeles to appear on the Ellen DeGeneres Show this week.

Kerry, who's 39 and has survived cervical and breast cancer, said Ellen's show is her favorite. She attended a taping of the show in January where she filled out a questionnaire.

She believes producers read the questionnaire, because they sent her a letter asking her to be a guest on the show.

"They asked me to write a story about my experience with breast cancer," she said. "Ellen is my favorite celebrity show. I love Ellen."

In it she talks about how she lost her left breast and then a year ago, her right.

Kerry expects the taping is in conjunction with breast cancer month in October. Ellen is doing a special show on Monday observing the month.

Kerry was previously in the news when she was bitten in the abdomen by a coyote in February.

Of her continued survival against the odds, she said "it's scary, you never know."

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I got a visit on Wednesday from Pastor Jean-Paul Escalera, who will be presiding at the first services of the Vista Grande Baptist Church 2 p.m. Sunday.

Jean-Paul is a recent arrival in Carson Valley from Virginia. The church will meet at the Carson Valley Museum & Cultural Center here in Gardnerville. For more information, call 265-2245.

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Genoans are gathering at the Orchard House 1-4 p.m. Saturday to help out Ted and Katie O'Neill, whose home burned down on Sept. 20.

Folks from all over are encouraged to come out, listen to some music, eat some barbecue and leave what they can for a donation, host Randy Falcke said.

For those who can't make it to Genoa on Saturday, an account has been established on the couple's behalf at U.S. Bank.

Donations may be made at any branch to account number 1537542186392.

n Kurt Hildebrand is editor of The Record-Courier. Reach him at 782-5121, ext. 215.