Ratz benefit Sunday

By Karin Burke | The Daily Journal

Published Thursday, January 25, 2007

This Sunday, Trinity Lutheran Church will be hosting a benefit for Stacy Ratz, who is currently receiving care at Merit Care Hospital in Fargo for non- Hodgkin’s lymphoma, or lymphatic cancer. The benefit will feature a meal and visiting time with the Ratz family.

Stacy, who previous to her illness worked at Lakeland Mental Health Center in records keeping, is undergoing aggressive chemotherapy to be followed by radiation. Treatment is expected to continue for the next two years. She currently attends weekly chemotherapy sessions in Fargo.

Stacy was diagnosed with lymphoma in late December. She originally sought chiropractic treatment for back pain, thinking that she had strained or stretched a muscle. When that treatment proved ineffective, she sought help from her family doctor, who found cancer in her chest.

Stacy currently divides her time between Fergus Falls and Fargo, receiving chemotherapy at Merit Care Hospital and monitoring and on-going care from Lake Region Hospital. Staying in Fergus Falls allows her to keep family life as unimpaired as possible, a priority for her and her husband, Paul. “We have four kids under 8 years old,” Paul said. “It has been life changing, to have our whole world turned upside down in such a short period of time. But the help we have received from neighbors and friends and the community has been amazing”.

Paul, a 6th grade teacher at Fergus Falls middle school, has taken time off of work, and plans to continue to do so for 4-6 weeks. Stacy is at home, but she wears a mask to prevent infection. Emily, 8 years old, Ryan, 6 years old, Tori, who is 3, and Jack, nearly 7 months, have certainly seen a change in their daily lives.

“It is difficult, with the children being so young,” Paul said, “But people have been an unbelievable help. We as a family are hopeful”.

Stacy spoke of Sunday’s benefit and noted that “the whole thing is amazing. I appreciate it immensely. All the prayers - I can’t get enough”. Stacy noted that she would specifically like to thank Nikki Welde, Pastor Lange and Ginny Lange from Trinity Church, and everyone who has helped to set up the benefit. “But I don’t want to specify and exclude all of the others, friends and neighbors who have gathered around me and my family during this whole thing. I am overwhelmed, and truly truly grateful, for all the people who have come forward”.

Sunday’s benefit will take place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sunday at Trinity Lutheran Church. There will be a free will donation. For those who cannot make Sunday’s event or who would like to make alternative donations, an account in Stacy Ratz’s name has been set up at Bank of the West in Fergus Falls. All donations will go towards medical and travel expenses.