Dwana Eslinger and her husband John’s five children, grandchildren, and significant others held a benefit on Saturday to help with medical bills after Dwana’s cancer diagnosis last July. Pictured above are (front row, L to R): Marceline Peasley, Braiden Peasley, Ava Adkins, Dwana Eslinger, John Eslinger, Jasper Moore. (Middle row) [Name redacted], Ashley Peasley, Shawna Moore, Crystal Gomez, Bryson, Heather Tyrrell. (Back row) Vicente Hernandez, Ashley Persinger, Josh Eslinger, Joey Holy-Eslinger, Greg Arana, Dallas Moore, Abilene Moore, Ismael Gomez.
One of the benefits of a small community is how people pull together in times of need. This has been common throughout Garretson’s history, and it was no different this past weekend, when a benefit for Dwana Eslinger was held.
Eslinger, who is in her late 40’s, was diagnosed with lung cancer and a malignant tumor in her head last July, and has undergone extensive treatment since, including the removal of the bottom half of her lung last November to remove the cancer. She was out of work from July to December for treatment, but luckily, it has been going well and she was able to return to work just before Christmas.
Unluckily, the loss of income and the cost of medical bills is no joke. A committee consisting of her children, significant others, and family formed to help her out financially. They held their first benefit with a band last November.
“My goal was to at least meet or beat what we took in in November,” said Heather Tyrrell, who helped organize the event that was held this past weekend. “We doubled what we made there.”
While a bean bag tournament did not have the turnout they were hoping for, in the end that didn’t matter. They went through 60 pounds of pork loin and 30 pounds of potato salad, successfully raffled off 6 items and auctioned 110, and sold hundreds of bake sale items.
“We had a set of bean bag boards that went for around $200 [in auction],” said Tyrrell. They also had a 2-night stay at a lodge in Yankton overlooking Lewis and Clark that went for over $200. The two most-popular raffle items were a Yeti cooler and a Smith & Wesson M&P .40 caliber handgun.
Eslinger’s treatment went well, and they’re currently in a holding pattern until another scan next month, according to Tyrrell. Until then, community members can continue to help by donating toward the Benefit Account for Dwana Eslinger at First Bank & Trust or purchase koozies, which are available at 1 for $3 or 2 for $5.
