Ridgway Moose to host benefit for Emily Johnston, Lucy Weis
On Sunday, May 19 the Ridgway Moose is hosting a chicken and pork chop BBQ benefit for Lucy Weis and Emily Johnston.
Weis is the daughter of Tammy (Yanak) and Devin Weis and was diagnosed with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia in July of 2023. Along with battling this type of cancer, she also has had to deal with a rare fungal infection.
The infection and side effects from chemotherapy have required long periods of hospitalizations and several surgeries. For several more years, Weis will continue to require treatments for leukemia and fungal infection for the foreseeable future.
When able, Weis attends St. Marys Catholic Elementary School as a kindergarten student.
Weis has inspired those around her and the local community with her perseverance and resilience, as Lucy offers her thumbs-up and smiles each day and is supported by her family, friends, and the community.
In February of 2023, Emily Johnston was diagnosed with an extremely rare kidney disorder called Loin Pain
Hematuria Syndrome in both of her kidneys.
This is a progressive disorder affecting the kidney causing debilitating flank pain. This past September, Johnston received her first renal auto-transplant, a kidney transplant that helps relieve patients of severe long lasting pain.
This procedure was done at the University of Wisconsin Health, as this is the only specialist to address this type of disorder in the country. She has found great success from her first surgery and is scheduled to have her second renal auto-transplant Tuesday, June 11.
Johnston is a kindergarten through twelfth grade art teacher at the Ridgway Area School District.
This benefit is set to begin from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. or until sold out. There will also be a basket raffle, and these donations are currently being accepted at the Ridgway Moose.