To the editor:

On Oct. 15, a benefit was held at Miller’s Recreation to raise funds for my upcoming stem-cell transplant. A huge thanks to the following:

Cafe Rosetta, Hahn Hammered Copper, Copper World, Aspirus Fitness Center, Cross Country Sports, J P’s Fast Track, Calumet Art Center, Superior Video, Harter’s Party Store, Jim’s Pizza, Calumet Floral, The Office Shop, Keweenaw Coffee Works, Ace Hardware, 41 Lumber, Wood’n Spoon, Slim’s Cafe, Keweenaw Mountain Lodge, Newman Appliance, Keweenaw Adventure Company, Universal Metal Works, Beth Salmela, Up North Cabinetry, Tom and Mike Borsum, McDonald’s, Hardee’s, Toni’s Country Kitchen, Cricket Eckloff, Denise Karvonen, Burger King, Jim & Teri Enrietti, Fitzgerald’s, Calumet Golf, Bucko’s, Patty Santti, Rozsa Center, Keweenaw Brewing, Diane Kesanen, and John Bowie.

To everyone who organized and helped at the event: Pete and Johnna Rilei, Jean and Ray Rilei, Bev and Harley Lewis, John Manzini, Julie Dlubala, Mary Olszewski, Joe and Claire Snow, Coreen Balbough, Kay Streiter, Dorothy Brulla, Jean Aalto, Amber Reilly, Mary Scott, Rita Gemignani, Elaine Alatalo, and Susie Timonen. I love you all!

Thank you to Lorelei Miller and crew at Miller’s Recreation for hosting the event and preparing a most delicious meal! Your hard work was greatly appreciated. Thank you to everyone that attended and is supporting me in my journey to wellness.

My apologies if I forgot anyone; I so appreciate everything that was done for me.

Please spread the word about HSCT to everyone you know with MS! It is safe, effective, and life-changing!

Laura Erkkila

Calumet