Laura Kane

BY MIRANDA STOKES

Staff Writer

Wetzel County Commissioners approved the use of the Mollohan Center free of charge for a benefit to raise money for a young local woman battling cancer at Tuesday’s meeting.

The commission was met with two young ladies, Kelsey Klug and Kaylee Purpura, who addressed the commission requesting the use of the center at the Wetzel County 4-H grounds to hold a benefit for their friend and former classmate, Laura Kane. Kane, a 20-year-old 2009 graduate of Magnolia High School, was recently diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumor and is currently being treated at Cleveland Clinic.

Klug and Purpura noted Kane is very active in the community as well as through Wheeling Jesuit University, where Kane is currently attending college. While per prognosis is fortunately looking favorable, Kane still has roughly a year of treatment ahead of her. With that will come high medical costs to the family.

Without objection the commission approved the use of the Mollohan Center free of charge for the event. This benefit will take place Aug. 7 at the center throughout most of the day. The benefit includes a spaghetti dinner, raffles, a 50/50 drawing, and possibly entertainment. All proceeds from this event will go to the family to help cover medical costs.

The commission extended their appreciation toward Klug and Purpura for organizing the noble benefit and wished them much success.

In a related matter, another benefit for Laura Kane is planned for this Friday at the Lewis Wetzel Pool from noon to 9 p.m. There will be a hot dog cookout, family games, and a raffle. Again, all proceeds will go to help cover medical costs. This event is sponsored by friends and family. For more information on this benefit, contact Marlee Amos at 304-771-4306 or Rebecca Longwell at 304-771-4936.

For those who are unable to attend a benefit but would still like to donate, send checks made out to Laura’s mother, Theresa Hoskins, to: Peoples Bank, Attn.: Terri Botkins, 207 Main Street, New Martinsville, WV 26155.

Also, if you would like to send Laura a card or words of encouragement, please send such items to: Ronald McDonald House of Cleveland, 10415 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106-4709, Attn.: Room 217 Kane/Hoskins.

In another matter, as requested, the commission sent a letter of commitment to the Paden City Development Authority for the commission’s $4,000 donation to aid in the PCDA’s project to repair and/or replace the roof on the Paden City Health and Recreation Building, located at 425 South Fourth Avenue, Paden City.