Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
LOCALS FLOCKED to the Aurora Club Saturday to help raise funds to offset the costs associated with Ironwood football coach Ryan Niemi's treatment for Berger's Disease. The fundraiser served spaghetti in the main room off the kitchen while holding a raffle for prizes and 50/50 in the room next door. According to Laurie Munn, people donated generously to the fundraiser as Niemi is a very popular coach and well known person in the community.
By IAN MINIELLY
Ironwood - On Saturday from noon to 8 pm the Aurora Club hosted a fundraiser to offset the medical costs of local Ironwood football coach and business owner, Ryan Niemi. About five weeks ago Niemi went to the doctor feeling unwell; the doctor sent him to Wausau immediately and the verdict was in. Niemi had developed IgA Nephropathy, or Berger's Disease.
According to the Kidney Cares Community, Berger's Disease is characterized by the deposition of IgA or IgA antibodies into the glomerular mesangial areas and commonly manifests itself with frequent or recurring protein in the urine. In some cases, severe high blood pressure is also present. If not treated properly, Bergers develops into chronic kidney failure.
According to Niemi's brother Ron, Ryan has lost 100 pounds in just the past five weeks. Niemi is making three trips weekly to Woodruff for dialysis and has also made the prescribed dietary changes to make himself fit and able to qualify for the kidney transplant list. Niemi, a local contractor in Ironwood, has been unable to work due to the progress of the disease, the frequent trips to Woodruff, and just not feeling well.
Laurie Munn and Carlie Sims decided they would organize a fundraiser to offset some of the medical costs and to make up for the lost time on the job. While they figured the community would come together in support of Niemi as he is so well liked, Munn was surprised by the volume of donations that arrived and allowed a giant raffle for prizes to occur, along with the entrance fee, and 50/50 raffle to generate money.
Scott Wilson, Kerry Roehm, Larry Tribaldo, and Denise and Ron Trone volunteered to man the kitchen and cook spaghetti to feed guests and visitors.
Always the football coach, "Niemi intends to be well-enough to coach next fall," according to his brother Ron. The fundraiser served about 1,000 people. The final total of funds raised has yet to be determined.
