Published: October 29, 2008 08:23 pm      

Benefit Saturday for Indiana woman battling cancer

VEEDERSBURG, Ind. — Wendy Mortimore, Lisa Purple and Lisa Snyder were friends going through Fountain Central High School in the 1980s. Last year they got together to help plan the 20th class reunion this year.

But in late February or early March Mortimore was diagnosed with stomach cancer. It not only affected her, but her friends too.

Purple, Snyder and others are sponsoring a benefit Saturday for Mortimore to help with expenses not covered by insurance.

The event will be from 4-10 p.m. EDT in the Fountain Central High School cafeteria. Dinners will include a barbecue sandwich or hot dog, baked beans, salad, dessert and drink for $5.

“We want to help her out,” Snyder said. “The money will go to buy gas to go for treatment, to pay medical bills or anything she needs.”

Several games, including a duck pond, will be featured, and swimming will be available in the school pool from 4-8 p.m.

A silent auction will feature a lot of items.

“We have had some wonderful donations,” Snyder said.

There will be gift certificates, Pizza King pizza, an oil change, tools, a Longaberger basket, Yankee candles and a handmade John Deere quilt.

“We will have bingo and DJ will play from 4-10 p.m.,” Purple said.

The Fountain County Relay for Life will have an information table.

“We just did our 20-year class reunion,” Purple said. “We were so close.”

Purple said Mortimore’s mother died with stomach cancer when Wendy was 13.

“It is hereditary,” she said. “It is in her family. We want to get the word out about stomach cancer.”

She has been undergoing chemotherapy.

Mortimore has three sons, ages 19, 15 and 7.

COMING UP

A benefit for Wendy Smith Moritmore will be from 4-10 p.m. EDT Saturday at Fountain Central High School. For additional information, contact Lisa Purple at (765) 376-2136, Tye Auter at (765) 585-6464 and Lisa Snyder at (765) 366-4938.

The Wendy Mortimore Benefit Fund has been set up at Centre Bank, 128 N. Main St., Veedersburg, IN 47987.