Dickinson Eagles Club to host benefit dinners for Joe Wanner and Chandler Synnes – The Dickinson Press

DICKINSON — Dickinson’s Eagles Club will soon host medical benefits for two Stark County men struggling with serious health issues.

Joe Wanner has dedicated his life to public safety, day and night. In mid-July, Wanner went to the emergency room with stroke-like symptoms. CT scans would reveal he actually had three brain tumors, with follow-up pathology tests would bring the news that Wanner had stage 4 glioblastoma brain cancer. Surgeons managed to remove the largest of the brain tumors.

Wanner showed signs of recovery from radiation and chemotherapy treatments received at Bismarck Cancer Center, but by September 27 he had regained enough strength to ring a bell by his bed. Friends and family say his beloved wife Renae has been by his side throughout the painful journey and the couple share three children and five grandchildren.

Wanner was a Gladstone firefighter for 44 years and fire chief for 32 of those years. He was also the emergency response coordinator for the Southwest District Health Unit for two decades. All proceeds from the Eagles Club fundraiser will be used to ease the financial burden of medical bills and travel expenses for Wanner and his family.

Gladstone Deputy Fire Chief Doug Brost has worked at the department since 1995 and he said Wanner’s dedication was crucial in providing volunteer firefighters with a new fire station and the lifesaving equipment needed to protect the community. More so, Brost praised Wanner as a selfless man who leads by example.

“He’s still the guy. When no one else raised their hand to do something, he raised his…the very definition of a volunteer,” Brost said.

Wanner’s Spaghetti Benefit Dinner will be held from 5-7 p.m. at the Dickinson Eagles Club, located at 31 1st Ave. E. The live auction will begin at 7 p.m. Donation auction items must be dropped off at SW District Health, located at 528 21st St. W, by October 31.

From 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. on October 24, the club will host a spaghetti dinner, bake sale, live and silent auctions for South Heart man Chandler Synnes. His mother, Julie Synnes, said West Nile virus and Lyme disease caused Chandler great suffering throughout his young life.

Deb Bahley is Synnes’ insurance agent. She helped organize the fundraiser for Julie.

“He’s just a really nice guy who would do anything for anybody else, and I just wanted to help him out,” Bahley said.

According to a fundraising flyer provided by Bahley, Chandler’s ailments have caused numbness in his limbs, uncontrollable outbursts of anger, facial paralysis and poor brain function, among other symptoms.

“I have watched Chandler through his journey: struggling, hurting, crying, getting angry and frustrated, wanting to die. We are blessed to know so many good people who have guided and supported us,” Julie said. in the flyer, emphasizing the power of prayer, “We hope to help those who suffer from the same problems.”

Julie said a variety of holistic methods such as electrical dermo screening, light therapy and reflexology have dramatically improved Chandler’s life.