Local mother whose child was treated at St. Jude invites commissioners to benefit event

Katie Bergoff addressed the commission during public comment, introduced herself and described her daughter Riley’s treatment for neuroblastoma at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. "My name is Katie Bergoff... we both lived here in Dayton for about four years now," she said, describing a 10-month stay in Memphis during treatment and praising St. Jude for providing housing, groceries and medical care without billing the family.

Bergoff said Riley is doing well more than a year after treatment and that the family will participate as keynote speakers at a charity tournament gala. She invited the commission and the public to a fundraiser Friday at Bar Beer Works (silent auction, live music, some big-ticket auction items) to raise donations that go 100% to St. Jude. "All of the donations, 100% of it goes to St. Jude's," Bergoff said, and asked local residents and commissioners to attend or donate.

Several commissioners expressed support and said they and other attendees would attend the fundraiser. This was a public comment; no formal action was taken by the commission.