Chesterton Tribune

 

 

Duneland Resale 'Dessa Day' Thursday to help local resident

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On Thursday, December 17, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Duneland Resale, 801 Broadway, Chesterton, will hold Dessa Day, a fundraiser for Dessa Dille Waldo, a lifelong Chesterton resident and single mother of two daughters.

Since 1997 Dessa has battled Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (FAP), a rare, inherited genetic disease causing polyps to form in the large intestine and duodenum, almost always becoming cancerous by age 40. She has undergone preventive major surgery to remove a large part of the intestine, has polyps removed every three months and goes to Chicago monthly for follow-ups and tests.

Dessa lost her mother to this rare disease, and both of her daughters have inherited this genetic mutation. The older daughter, now 23, had her colon removed (colon cancer) at the age of 8 years, a second major surgery at 10, and recent reconstructive surgery. The younger daughter, 12, has undergone yearly colonoscopies since she was 8 years old and will eventually require the same major preventive surgery as her sister and mother have had.

Dessa now has a new genetic mutation, NBN, which increases the chance of breast cancer, which she and her daughters have a 50-50 chance of developing.

Recently Dessa was diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer, requiring surgery, hospitalization and chemotherapy.

Dessa has a positive outlook. She is reluctant to ask for help because, as she says, “Some people have it worse than I do.” Even during her illnesses, she has continued working at the Chesterton Jewel-Osco store.

However, her debts are mounting. She owes large hospital bills and a credit card bill for her wigs. Her car needs new tires, and her home needs extensive repairs.

It will be a difficult Christmas for the family, and the future promises more health problems and expenses. Please come and shop on Thursday, December 17--Dessa Day--at Duneland Resale!

 

Posted 12/14/2015

 
 
 
 

 

 

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