BENEFIT PLANNED TO HELP GIRL WITH CANCER

ORAN -- A benefit dinner, dance and auction will be held Feb. 7 at the Oran Knights of Columbus Hall to benefit Jessica Ressel.

In April 1996, Jessica was diagnosed with Astrocytoma, an inoperable brainstem tumor. Her parents, Dan and Robin Ressel, were told she had a life expectancy in the range of nine months. The family was told there was no treatment available.

But in May 1996, the Ressels learned about an FDA approved clinical trial and Jessi was given a new non-toxic therapy called antineoplastons. She became of patient at the Stanislaw Burzynski, M.D. Clinic in Houston Texas.

After being on the treatment five weeks, her tumor decreased by 39 percent and she had no side effects. Jessi, who is 13, carries a pack over her shoulder which administers the antineoplastons into a catheter in her chest.

Jessi's cancer was declared in remission in November 1997. But the FDA hasn't approved the treatment for cancer treatment, so the Ressel's insurance won't pay for it.

The Ressel's need to raise approximately $100,000 to pay for the treatment.

The Ressel's live in Springfield, Mo. Dan Ressel is from Oran and graduated from Oran High School. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Herman Joe Ressel of Oran.

The benefit includes a chicken noodle soup and chili supper served from 4 to 7 p.m. Dance music begins at 7 p.m. donated by Classy Chassy Country and Renegade Sound System. Auctions and raffle will be held throughout the evening.

Donations can be sent to the Jessica Ressel Cancer Fund at Union Planters Bank in Oran. For information, call Debbie Reischman at 545-3011 or Doris Ressel at 262-3705 evenings or 334-7986 daytime.