Chinook to hold benefit for woman battling cancer

After Brenda Bosch Napier's third diagnosis of cancer in eight years, local friends of the former Chinook resident are holding a benefit Saturday to help with expenses.

Brenda, who lives in Forsyth with her husband, Herb Napier, and their two teenage daughters, was born and raised in Chinook and graduated in 1985. During her school and 4-H years in Chinook she became friends with Lori Unruh, and that friendship has lasted through the years and inspired the upcoming benefit, Lori said.

“She's just one of my best friends from back in the day,” said Lori. “We've always kept in touch.”

“Brenda is very tough,” she added, but needs arise with extensive treatment, and Lori said she is hoping that the benefit will help offset some of Brenda's living and travel expenses associated with the treatment.

Brenda was originally diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005 and, after treatment, was in remission until 2008, when doctors found the cancer in her bones, then her lungs. Recently, doctors discovered the cancer in Brenda's brain.

“The doctors basically told her she could do nothing and have a couple months to live, or she could have chemotherapy and give herself a couple years,” Lori said.

Though Brenda went through radiation treatment and started chemotherapy around the first part of October, Lori said, she's still planning to be in Chinook for the benefit to see friends and family.

“Things have been touch-and-go with the treatments,” Lori said, “but Brenda has stayed positive. We're just trying to help her any way we can.”

The benefit dinner will begin at 5:30 p.m. Saturday at the Chinook Eagles Club. Doug Mitchell is helping prepare and serve the roast beef, salad and dessert dinner, Lori said, adding that the cost is a free-will donation.

The evening's events will also include a silent auction and, at 7 p.m., a live auction with Bob Sivertsen lending his voice to help raise money. A stage area will also be open for any musicians wanting to join in a jam session to entertain the crowd.

Lori said that she and her fellow organizers are still welcoming any donations for the auctions, whether it's an item or a service, such as offers for cattle hauling and crop spraying that have already been donated.

Anyone with donations or questions can call Lori at 399-4249, Jolynn Savage in Havre at 395-4442, Deb Anderson in Chinook at 357-2546 or Richene Boschee in Dodson at 658-2305. More information can be found on the Brenda Bosch Napier Benefit Facebook page.

“She's a very strong woman for going through this for so many years,” Lori said. “I just hope people come out and support her.”