Serving proudly since 1873 as the beautiful Nebraska Panhandle's first newspaper
Serving proudly since 1873 as the beautiful Nebraska Panhandle's first newspaper
What came as both a shocking and devastating diagnosis at the end of November 2024 has turned into community support and outreach for a local family suffering with pediatric cancer.
Young Beckett Block, a two year old from the quiet village of Lodgepole, and his family's lives were forever changed after a bout of what they thought was “just a virus.” A trip by helicopter to Children’s Hospital in Denver would reveal Beckett’s true condition, high risk (stage 4) neuroblastoma with another tumor located on his kidneys. Seeking immediate treatment for their only son, BJ and Jacki Block made the tough decision to continue working their full time jobs while commuting to and from Beckett’s appointments. Following on the heels of their daughter, Rowan’s, premature birth the parents were thrown into a sudden and expensive whirlwind of change.
BJ, a delivery driver for UPS and Jacki, a CNA and Administrative Assistant for Pole Creek Estates Nursing Home have split their lives and physical homes between the different locations needed to help their small family survive these new hardships. With Beckett requiring care in both Denver and Sidney, locals in the surrounding areas pitched together to create an online donation site as well as a Pool Tournament Fundraiser to help the Block family alleviate financial stresses.
The Beckett Block Fundraiser and Pool Tournament was held at Winners in Sidney on Saturday, January 4th. Serving an all-you-can-eat taco buffet open to public donation, the pool fundraiser racked in 34 eager participants for the 8-ball singles tour tournament. With a $20 registration fee and up to $500 in cash prizes provided by local sponsors, the tournament proved to be successful as well as a hit.
The “big shots” for placings were as follows:
1st Place: Ben Young
2nd Place: Russ Barker
3rd Place: Steve Holsinger
If looking to donate to Beckett Block and his family, you can do so by visiting beckettsfight.betterworld.org
Cheyenne County native, local business owner.
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