Public invited to #LineUpWithLori at upcoming benefit
Lori Spurgeon with her husband Matt. There will be a fundraising event for Lori, who was cancer-free for a decade before symptoms recently returned. The June 24 fundraiser will include an ATV/UTV poker run, dinner, live music and more.
Life has a way of throwing some difficult curves at people, and Lori and Matt Spurgeon are in the midst of facing one enormous curve that has been a monumental challenge.
Lori Spurgeon continues her battle with oligodendroglioma, a rare type of brain cancer, which she was diagnosed with in 2013.
She had initially undergone chemotherapy and radiation treatments, and for a decade she was cancer-free and feeling fine. However, over the past year, she began experiencing neurological symptoms and seizures, and the freedom from cancer she had experienced for 10 years dissipated as her disease returned.
In recent weeks she has undergone multiple hospitalizations and surgical procedures. She has lost her vision as a result of the increased cerebral spinal fluid and inflammation.
As a way to show support both spiritually and financially, her friends and family will present the Benefit for Lori Spurgeon on June 24.
The evening will include an ATV/UTV poker run with registration beginning at 10 a.m., and the first riders will go out at 11 a.m. with the final riders in by 5 p.m. The cost of the poker run is $25 per rider. Included in the cost of the purchase of a ticket is a meal and live music by local band CopOut.
Should patrons not wish to ride but want to attend the evening’s events, the pulled-pork dinner will begin at 5 p.m. and is by donation while the CopOut live performance will begin at 7 p.m. with a $15 cover charge. All proceeds will go to help Spurgeon continue to battle her illness.
“She’s a fighter,” said Nikki Dalton, who is helping to coordinate the event. “Both she and Matt have been through so much, especially lately. It’s been difficult, but they are strong.”
According to Dalton, Spurgeon went back into the hospital recently with bad headaches and for more testing, having experienced more inflation on the brain. She said doctors also are changing her chemotherapy after the diagnosis of a diffuse leptomeningeal glioneuronal tumor was confirmed.
Dalton said her condition has impacted her ability to conduct normal functions of everyday life most people take for granted.
Spurgeon has been unable to work since December 2022, and during her illness, Matt has been by her side, serving as her caretaker, which has resulted in him missing time at work. In addition, they have a 17-year-old son, Logan, who also lives at home.
All of the proceeds from the event will go to the family to help pay for the mounting medical expenses the family is experiencing.
“It’s been a difficult time for Lori and the family, but we know as friends and community that we can make a difference by showing our support to help them through this difficult time,” Dalton said.
The dinner and concert benefit will take place at Killbuck VFW, 185 W. Front St., while the poker run will take place at the Killbuck VFW Lake.
Anyone with questions or those who wish to make a donation to the fund may do so by calling Dalton at 330-231-6853.