Benefit planned for local boy waiting for heart transplant

Lincoln County residents will rally around a local family later this month as a baby boy battles for his life.

A fundraiser is planned in Libby on Saturday, Sept. 7 to benefit local residents Jack Prosise and Jetta Dunham, whose infant son Asher Prosise-Dunham is waiting for a heart transplant.

Asher was diagnosed with a rare congenital heart defect. After he was born he developed cardiomyopathy of the left ventricle. He received his first open-heart surgery in July to place a ventricular assist device in his heart.

Asher has been at the Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah for more than 60 days, where he undergoes blood draws and is given medication every day.

He has been placed on the list to receive a heart transplant, which could take up to a year to find a match.

“It’s going to be a long process for them,” said Machelle Brossman, who is organizing the fundraiser. “They don’t just get a heart and be on their way. There is so much that can go on.”

Travel expenses and medical bills can quickly add up, and Brossman hopes the upcoming fundraiser can bring a little relief to the family.

Locals have been quick to donate items to the benefit auction, she said.

“We’ve gotten guns to trips, to tools,” she said. “People are being so generous. The idea is to give the whole family as mush as we can.”

The event “Keep Calm, Transplant On,” is Sept. 7 at Libby Memorial Center. It begins at 3 p.m. with early bird entertainment, a taco and potato bar at 5 p.m., and auction at 6:30 p.m. There will be kids activities, and live music will be provided by Payton Rae with Cody Lyle, and Jacque Jolene and Pour Decisions.

Tickets are available at Copper Mountain Coffee, The Western News, Studio Three 10 Salon, The Switchback Bar and Grill, and The Printing Press.

People who want to make cash donations or donate to the auction should contact Stephanie LaCoss-Scott at 291-2176.