COLE CAMP — Benton and Pettis County residents and businesses are pulling together to host a benefit for a young Cole Camp mother with stage three brain cancer.
Organizing the March 25 event are Jeff and Gayla Hickman, who own Hickman's Smokehouse and The Scone Lady in Cole Camp, Andrea Theisen Waynick, and Emily Kullman. The benefit will offset medical costs for Ashley Bowen, 37, who was diagnosed with a somewhat rare Ologiodendroglioma tumor in 2017. She has had surgery twice, but neurosurgeons could not remove all the cancer deep-seated within the brain.
Bowen is married to Skip Bowen, who works at ProEnergy in Sedalia; they have an 8-year-old daughter, Olivia. On Wednesday, Bowen said the doctors explained that she has a three-year life expectancy. She noted because of her daughter's young age, she has opted for 33 rounds of radiation, which she completed recently. She's also decided to have chemotherapy at KU Medical Center. Bowen added that her first surgery left her with memory loss and daily pain.
"So, January 2023, I started going to KU for radiation, Monday through Friday," Bowen explained. "I had to do 33 treatments, (and) driving back and forth daily alone takes a toll on a person.
"I was never so happy to see day 33 and be finished," she continued. "The wonderful ladies made me a certificate, asked me if I wanted my mask, and let me ring their bell. So today, which is March 9, 2023, I go to Kansas again to see Dr. Tuncer, my oncologist, and I'm anticipating he will start my chemo journey."
She added she believes it will be a year of treatment.
"I will have to take daily pills, and then two times a month come back to KU for an infusion," she said. "That's my story so far, a 37-year-old female living with stage three Anaplastic Oligodendroglioma trying to make it day by day."
On Wednesday, Gayla Hickman said she found a post on Facebook last fall about a benefit for Bowen and wanted to help.
"It always hurts me to see people go through hard things," Hickman said softly. "So, I asked Jeff, 'I think they really need some help. Can we help them out for Thanksgiving?' So, that's what we did. We helped them with their Thanksgiving meal."
From there, the families formed a bond. Hickman added anyone she's talked to about the Bowen Benefit has said, "she's so sweet."
"I've heard the word 'sweet' used to describe (her) from nearly everybody," she noted. "Our friend Andrea, we were all talking about Ashley and the 33 trips to KU.
"And we felt like we were called to do something bigger," she continued. "And the people in Cole Camp and the surrounding communities have always been so good about helping out people who desperately need it. So, that's how the benefit got started."
So far, many individuals and businesses have donated to the silent and live auction or provided food for the benefit dinner. They have received a Kansas City Chiefs jersey and a Henry Big Boy 410 lever-action rifle, which will be raffled off during the event. Three local gun shops provided the rifle — Aces and Eights of Cole Camp, Deer Creek Gun of Clinton, and Sportsman's Outfitters of Warsaw.
Auction items include many items, such as a gift basket from a local winery, 18 holes of golf, and a gift basket from RiOak Western Design of Cole Camp.
Food is supplied by A.J.'s Dairy Bar, Classic Grill, Hickman's Smokehouse, and The Scone Lady, all of Cole Camp. Ryan Schlesselman is providing the beef, Cindy Schlesselman the dessert, and Bridgett Parker with Performance Food Groups, the rolls. Calgario's Pizza of Cole Camp is providing gift certificates.
Hickman said those who wish to help could donate desserts or cash for the Bowen Benefit. Cash donations can be brought from 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, and from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Hickman's Smokehouse and The Scone Lady, 310 E. Main St. in Cole Camp. To provide a dessert or donate to the auction, message Andrea Theisen Waynick on Facebook.
The Bowen Benefit is from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, March 25, at the American Legion Building in Cole Camp. A freewill donation will be accepted at the door. The meal consists of roast beef, smoked turkey, potato, vegetable, a roll, and dessert. In addition, there will be a raffle, a live and silent auction, and live music by Fred Kennedy, of Cole Camp. Kennedy will donate his tips to the benefit. For more information, call 660-668-4600.
