April 3, 2008

Community shows support at Nichols benefit

Journal photo by Melanie Kin Kade

Surgery pair. Jamie Nichols (left) holds her son Jackson while standing with her husband, Michael (right), and talking with Allison Kouns at a benefit dinner for Jackson last Friday at the American Legion Hall. Allison and Jackson both had surgery to treat Craniosynostosis – Jackson on March 14 and Allison 14 years ago when she was four months old.

A donation-only benefit spaghetti dinner for the family of Jackson Nichols last Friday night was a resounding success as community members from the surrounding area gathered at the American Legion Hall and provided amazing support.

The event featured a live and silent auction. Evergreen Implement, Inc. employees and concerned friends sponsored the benefit.

Volunteers contacted local residents and businesses to donate items for the auctions. All proceeds will aid in paying expenses for Jackson’s stay at Children’s Hospital and Regional Medical Center in Seattle for surgery to treat Craniosynostosis.

A total of $10,730 was raised, which will aid in medical bills not covered by insurance as well as additional costs related to surgery, such as traveling expenses.

Also attending the evening was Allison Kouns, who was diagnosed with Craniosynostosis and had surgery 14 years ago when she was four months old.

Her grandmother, Billy Kouns, remembers when Allison was diagnosed and had surgery and spoke with the Nichols family after learning about Jackson.

“When (Allison) was first born, she had the most perfectly shaped head for a newborn,” Billy said. When Allison was one month old, Billy noticed Allison’s forehead was starting to protrude.

After seeking medical advice from a general practitioner, the family was referred to a specialist, but the wait for surgery would have been too long.

While talking with their pastor, who went to college with a surgeon, the ball was set in motion. The doctor was contacted and agreed to perform the surgery.

Billy said the family keeps in contact with that pastor, who said the surgeon had recently asked about Allison. The family hopes to meet with the surgeon in the near future.