The family has started a Caring Bridge for Reed where you can keep up with Reeds progress. Click HERE
A benefit is being held on Jan 30th at the Comfort INN and Suites In Shawano WI starting at 6pm. Lots of stuff will going on to help the family with medical expense needs. This event is a free will donation event, no tickets needed.
There will be Bucket drops, Silent auctions, a live auction at 8:30pm featuring many big and nice items, paddle drawings, Beverages will be sold, and a DJ will be providing entertainment throughout the night.
If you are concerned about the weather or driving rooms are available at a discounted rate at the Hotel. When you call to book your room state you are attending the Reed Luepke benefit. The amount of room discount is dependent upon amount of rooms booked.
We hope to see everyone there!!!!
Reeds Story
3yr old Reed Luepke was just like any other young boy, he enjoyed playing cars with his dad, going to the local dirt track races with his family, playing with his sister and spending time doing things every little boy does. In the beginning of Oct 2009 both Reeds and his family’s world turned upside down in a day. In early October Reed became ill, and with the concern of the H1N1 virus his parents took him to their family physician. After some testing Reed came back negative for the H1N1 virus and was diagnosed with the flu, however the Doctor was concerned about possible Pneumonia and placed Reed on antibiotics to rid any infection of the lungs. As a day or 2 passed it seemed as though the young man was getting better and taking to the antibiotics, however things were about to change.
As the week went by Reed became tired all the time and his skin color wasn’t back to normal, concerned the family took Reed back to his Doctor on Monday October 19th where additional testing would be done. The family returned home after the Doctors visit and figured results would take a day or so. Soon the phone rang, it was the family Doctor, he instructed the family that they need to get Reed to St. Vincent’s Hospital in Green Bay right away and that the hospital was waiting for them. It was at this point where everything was about to change for the Luepke family. Once Reed was admitted to the Hospital the Doctors told the Luepke family what their suspicions were, the Doctors were 95% sure that Reed had Leukemia. Additional testing would have to be done to make sure and the family would not know the positive result until the next day. The Luepke family went from a healthy average family to one that was devastated by hearing the news no parent would want to hear, having a sick child.
As the family waited throughout the night by their sons hospital bed, they wondered why and how as they cried and tried to come to terms with this frightful news. On Tuesday Oct 20th the Doctors suspicions were confirmed, indeed this young 3yr old boy does have Leukemia. A barrage of testing would be done the next few days with Reed being poked and prodded in preparation to begin his Chemotherapy treatments. Through these times Reed sought comfort in his racing addiction; he would play with his cars on his hospital bed and watch DVD’s of Eldora and Boone. These would not only help Reed, but the entire family partially escapes the nightmare they were facing. Reed started his Chemotherapy on Thursday Oct 22nd. There have been some ups and downs along the way, but he has been responding well and if all goes well will be able to come home Oct. 30th.
Reed and his family still have a long road ahead of them as he will have Chemotherapy for 6months and then have maintenance Chemotherapy for the next 2 ½ years. This will be quite a financial burden on the family and a benefit is being held at the Comfort Inn and Suites in Shawano WI on Jan 30th 2010. We are asking if you would be willing to donate any items that can be used as silent auction, or bucket drops. We appreciate anything you can do to help this young man and his family. Donations can be sent to:
Reed Luepke Benefit
N4255 Range Line Rd. Clintonville WI 54929
