The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

DAYTON – A fundraiser to help Karissa Jackson meet expenses for a double-lung transplant will be held March 5 from 3-5 p.m. at the Dayton Eagles (222 E. Main). A silent auction starts at 3 p.m., a spaghetti dinner and bake sale start at 4 p.m. and Bingo is at 6 p.m.

Dinner is six dollars and includes spaghetti, salad and garlic bread. Bingo cards are one dollar per card with 15 games. Silent auction items include a Nick Page print, metal art, wood inlay, a Seahawk’s blanket, Hot Wheels collector basket and more.

Karissa, along with her sister Kayla, was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis in 1996. Kayla received a double lung transplant in 2009 but passed away at the age of 18. Karissa is 20 years old, with a two-year-old son. She has tried to avoid a lung transplant but will begin that journey at the University of Washington Medical Center in Seattle.

Funds raised will be used for medical expenses not covered by insurance, travel, food, lodging, and housing after the transplant. Karissa will be required to live in Seattle for three months following the transplant.

An account has been set up at Banner Bank under the name Karissa Jackson. For more information contact Gina Rider at (509) 520-4235, Bill Barclay at (509) 382-1974, or Michelle Swan at (509) 240-6371.