Fund-raisers planned for cancer patient

Friends and family are rallying to help Rena Reed-Schab through some tough times.

The Otis Orchards native and mother of two was diagnosed with acute myelogenous leukemia in January.

“It’s really an eye-opening experience. You never know what’s around the next corner,” said her mother, Wendy Reed.

As Reed-Schab continues with chemotherapy and prepares for a possible bone marrow transplant, her 18-year-old son, Dustin Schab, will undergo training at Fort Lewis in Western Washington.

He will deploy with his unit to Iraq in June.

“The sacrifice my grandson is making is overwhelming. We’re going to worry about him,” Reed said. “All we can do is care for his mother.”

Friends and family take turns driving Reed-Schab, a single mom who also has a 14-year-old son, for treatments.

Although Reed-Schab is in remission, her three siblings are undergoing tests to determine if they are matches for a possible bone marrow transplant.

That transplant would require her to stay at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle (and live within a 10-minute drive of the hospital) for three to four months. The estimated out-of-pocket cost is more than $50,000.

“She’s not out of the woods by a long shot. We’ve got a lot to do for her,” said Marilyn Taylor, a close friend.

The group has organized two fund-raisers to help pay insurance deductibles and other expenses.

A rummage sale will be held April 29 to May 1 at 4717 N. Eva Road in Otis Orchards. The sale will run from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday.

A dance and silent auction is planned May 7 at Medleys, 14415 E. Sprague Ave. The dance runs from 8 to 11 p.m. and admission is by donation.

Donations can be made to the Rena Reed-Schab Fund and mailed to Marilyn Taylor, P.O. Box 14743, Spokane, WA 99214.