Wade Milek fundraiser set

Mac and Marilyn Vass will be hosting a B.J. Dunbar memorial and cookie jar auction benefit that includes a pulled pork dinner.

The funds raised are for the purchase of a trained epileptic seizure alert dog from Medical Mutts for Wade Milek. Wade is the son of Nate and Whitney (Ferree) Milek. He was diagnosed with epilepsy at six months old. His form of epilepsy is from a chromosome duplication and is extremely hard to treat. The process of getting a service dog can be long and expensive, the cost can be up to $30,000. 

Some might not see Wade’s condition on the surface as serious because he looks like a normal kid, but Wade’s situation can be deadly. This perception from others for his parents can be frustrated because epilepsy is a serious issue.

According to Whitney, Wade typically has seizures while sleeping, and the danger for him is while having a seizure he can injure himself. He can hit his body, head or face on something damaging or he can fall down and hurt himself. 

Also, another major danger is that Wade can be sleeping on his chest and if a seizure happens, he can suffocate. Additionally, if he vomits, he can die from asphyxiation.

The solution of the service dog is meant to help Wade in all these situations and move his body into a safe and proper position, such as rolling him over onto his side. If Wade can have a certified, trained dog that will always be with him, night and day, he has the right protection he needs to live and thrive. 

The fundraiser will be at the Hot Springs County Fair Building, Thermopolis, Saturday, November 21. Dinner is at 5 p.m. with the auction to follow.

To make a donation, contact Mac and Marilyn Vass at 307-867-2483. Donations may be left at O’Reilly Auto Parts, 426 S 6th Street.