Community’s Behind Nostrant

WAITSBURG - More than 100 family members and local friends of Dennis Nostrant showed up for a dinner and silent auction at the fairgrounds Saturday, hoping to give the father of two a "second chance" at life, as his sister Susan Skeeters put it.

The event raised more than $6,000 for Nostrant's transplant fund.

The engineer, once a bar owner in Dayton and a longtime former resident of Waitsburg, needs a liver transplant to survive his late 50s. About one year ago, he discovered he has cirrhosis and carcinoma (cancer) of the liver.

The risky and complicated medical procedure, shortterm and long-term recovery are estimated to cost him as much as $350,000. He will undergo the operation at the University Of Washington Medical Center.

Raising that much money is a daunting task, acknowledged his oldest daughter Lola, but it will not impossible with the kind of support the family has had from everyone in the Touchet Valley.

"Some days, it seems like we may not make it all the way, but then we get this and know we'll persevere," she said. "The turnout has been amazing. There are truly good people in the world willing to help one another."

Picnic tables were set up outside the Lions Club Building for the dinner, while the facility itself was arranged with silent bid tables offering auction items donated by individuals and businesses in the community. Lola and her younger sister Kellie staffed an outside display booth of Nostrant's anticipated medical journey and local media coverage of community fundraising efforts.

Because he is prone to bouts of fatigue and disorientation caused by his condition, Nostrant himself couldn't make it to the gathering, but relatives from all over eastern Washington and parts of Oregon did.

"We sincerely appreciate everything everybody is doing," said Skeeters who lives in Prescott. "Not always do you get a second chance at life like this."

David Watts, who used to have a game arcade four doors down from Nostrant's Sports Center tavern on Main in Dayton, said his former business neighbor deserves it.

"He treated everyone really well," said Watts, now the maintenance director at the Prescott School District. "He's much appreciated."

Brian Black of Dayton, who used to be on the fire department with Nostrant and helped organize a raffle, agreed.

"He's a good man," he said.

Skeeters said contributors can donate to Nostrant's medical budget through the National Transplant Assistance Fund, making their gifts tax-deductible. Or, friends and acquaintances can write him notes of encouragement on the website.

"That's often a major boost to someone who is so sick," she said.

Visit www.ntafund.org or call Skeeters for more information: 509-629-2568.