Benefit event for Goodall Family tonight

A benefit will be held tonight for the family of Derek Goodall, a Ravenwood resident.

Goodall went to the hospital on Christmas Eve for pain in his abdomen, and ensuing tests found a large cyst on his pancreas.

Doctors informed his mother, Lura, who works at Northeast Nodaway High School, that they would not be able to remove the cyst until it developed a wall.

Since then, Goodall has been in the intensive care unit at Heartland Regional Medical Center and has not been able to eat, drink or breath on his own.

A tracheotomy was performed to attach a ventilator, and a feeding tube and IV provide him with sustenance.

The 23-year-old has had kidney, liver and pancreatic failure, further complicating his condition.

NEN employees have organized the fundraiser to help the family with medical expenses.

Cost will be $2 at the door, with pizza, hot dogs and popcorn being sold throughout the evening.

Pre-kindergarten through fourth-grade stuents will play a few basketball games to start the event that begins at 6 p.m. at the high school in Ravenwood.

Following those games, fifth graders and up will play various "minute to win it" games, followed by another game of basketball between high school seniors and faculty members.

There will also be a cake walk and a silent auction.

At Goodall's last CT scan earlier this month, doctors saw a thin wall beginning to form around the cyst, but estimated that they won't be able to operate until the end of April.

Including recovery time, doctors have said that he will not be able to be released for at least five more months.

"We just hope that everyone will keep Derek and the family in their prayers," said Tammy Vandivert, one of the event's organizers. "He is in a great deal of pain and very prone to infections. It is going to be a long road."

Anyone who cannot attend the event but would like to make a donation can do so at the school in care of Linda Mattson, Darlene Conover or Vandivert.