By Nick Pilgrim
A benefit was held for Ashley (Miller) Head, a 25 year old wife and mother of two children on Saturday, April 30. Head, a native of Charles City, was diagnosed with a disease known as Mixed Connective Tissue Disease.
The disease is an uncommon autoimmune disorder that causes overlapping features of three connective tissue diseases lupus, scleroderma, and polymyositis.
The scleroderma attacked her kidneys causing renal failure and is causing her heart to function at 30%.
Head will be receiving a kidney transplant, which could add another 20-30 years to her life.
“It was really scary knowing that my kidneys no longer worked because I was really hoping they would come back like the doctors thought they would,” Head said.
Instead of being put on a transplant list which could have taken up to five years, Head’s sister Brandi Miller of Greene knew she would donate one of hers if she were a match.
“It was never a decision or choice to be made there,” Miller said. “I knew without a doubt I would give her one of mine, if I were a match. I ended up being a perfect match, matching in all five out of five tests.”
In order to fund the transplant, Miller decided to organize a benefit.
Miller said that she started out by searching local venues that would donate their facility and settled on the Elk’s lodge.
“The Elks Lodge was more than happy to do so, and once I got a date set that they had available I went on to plan the rest,” Miller said.
Miller’s sister Melissa and her went about contacting local churches, businesses, and larger corporations for help with food and silent auction items.
“To be honest we didn’t get much help or response from most of the churches, but a couple in Charles City were great, one woman made all of the bars and cookies for the benefit. Barilla pasta donated pasta and sauce for 300. Kraft donated Jell-O for 300. Hy- vee donated $50 towards the salad and gave me the rest at a very low price and Wonder bread also gave me the bread at a very generous discounted price,” Miller said.
Leading up to the benefit in Charles City, Miller said they had placed cans in businesses in Greene, Charles City, and Waverly which brought in roughly $700. There was also a “Metal Show” at the Osage Knight’s of Columbus hall on April 16, which raised $700 as well.
Saturday’s benefit included a pasta dinner from 5pm to 7pm, a silent auction that ended at 9pm, and live music from 7pm to midnight.
Performances were Sonny Diesburg, Daniel Derifield, Jeff Miller, Nick Pilgrim, and John Steiert.
Miller said that Saturday’s benefit raised about $3,400.
Donations may also be sent to:
C US Bank
Charles City Office
PO Box 217
Charles City, IA 50616
Checks payable to “Ashley Miller Head Benefit”|
