Dodson Speedway AMX to hold 2-day benifit for Tom Kindle

As most people were still celebrating the arrival of the New Year, local AMX activist and enthusiast, Tom Kindle (aka TJ) wasn't facing an AMX race – instead, he was in a race of his own. A race against time and sometimes odds. Tom Kindle was diagnosed in February 2014 with mantle cell lymphoma stage 4 after six months of tests that had determined what it was not.

Mantle Celle Lymphoma, a non-Hodgkin's type, is fast growing, aggressive cancer that attacks the bone marrow and all four lymph node areas (arm pits, neck, abdomen and groin area) and it typically attacks men 75% more often than women with a median age of 63. Most people are in stage 4 before diagnosis because there are no major symptoms to make people go to the doctor. The feeling of being full whether the person has ate or not and being fatigued are generally what makes people seek medical help. Tom had tried to give blood at the local Red Cross blood drawing in late summer of 2013 and was denied due to failing the blood test for iron levels.

It is this that sent him to the doctor's office and they determined after several bone marrow biopsies that he had it in all four areas of lymph nodes and in his marrow as well. He started chemo treatments in February doing a R-CHOP and rotating to a R-DhaP for 3 rounds of each series of drugs. R-Chop ( Rituxan, Prednisone, Oncovin, Hydroxydaunomycin, and Cyclophosphamide) which generally lasted about 6 to 8 hours in length at the infusion center and the R-DhaP (Rituxan, Dexamethzone, Ara-C, Cisplatin) that required hospitalization for at least three and a half days. Tom dealt with severe nausea with all 6 chemo treatments, and in July had tests to see if the cancer cells were low enough to proceed with the stem cell harvesting and transplant.

It was deemed a go and the first part of August Tom had shots for four days followed by three days of stem cell harvesting in which they were able to harvest enough cells for transplanting. The tests that had been run in July and again in August showed the kidneys had been compromised to the point the transplant could not safely be completed. If the kidneys in the future show they have improved to a level the final chemo to kill the bone marrow can be administered, then the transplant will be reviewed again.

At this time, a maintenance chemo dose will be administered every three months with Rituxan to try and keep the growth of the cancer cells at bay. This will last for the next two years unless the cancer cells show they are growing again. When the cancer grows, again the doctors will try other chemo drugs as to not further harm the kidneys.

TJ and Millie ranch east of Malta in the Strater community and have three grown sons. Frank works at the stockyards in Glasgow, Patrick in Missoula and Robert is employed at Randy's Machine Shop. Millie is the bookkeeper at Consolidated Vet Services and TJ had been employed at R&G before his health condition required him to leave his position. With all their travel and medical appointments, Millie's work has also been affected.

The Dodson Speedway AMX group is having a benefit two day race for TJ to be held this weekend, October 4th and 5th, 2014. Tech in time for the AMX is 10 – noon on Saturday with hot laps at 1pm and races to start at 2pm. Tech in time for the AMX is 11 to noon on Sunday with hot laps to start at noon and races to start at 1p.m.

As an added thrill (as if an occasional car rolling over isn't enough to set the pace maker in action at the AMX) local character Jerey McEwen has spearheaded and put together a derby race for Saturday. Tech in time is 11-1pm and the derby races will run in between the AMX races. Fifty percent of all AMX drivers' fees goes to the benefit as well as the gate receipts, meal profits, and silent auction proceeds. The remaining fifty percent of driver's fees is given to the driver's and they may turn these over to the benefit as well. (most driver's opt to do this). Both days will also offer the opportunity for spectators to enjoy both a pitman race and powder puff race as well.

Meals will be offered at Saturday lunch time 11-2pm, and dinner 6-8pm and at Sunday lunch time 11-2pm. The AMX group has drivers from Great Falls, Dutton, Lewistown, Chinook and Havre as well as local Malta/Dodson drivers who have indicated they will race these two days. This is a point race for the drivers.

At this time some of the items available for auction are from Zoetis Animal Health - (2) 5 liter Dectomax pour-on for cattle and (6) 500ml L A 200 antibiotic for cattle; Lewistown Honda donated $25 gift certificate, a t-shirt, and bike straps. Sharon Kindle has donated a quilt; Kari, Scott and Corrine Hould and Jerry and Gloria Salveson have a donated a framed picture. A basket collection of homemade jelly and jams has also been donated. In addition to these prizes there are other items coming in as this goes to print for the silent auction.

Bids on the items in the silent auction will close at approximately 5 pm on Saturday. The Dodson Speedway group hopes you will come support this worthwhile cause and bid on the items as well. For more information on the AMX call president, Scott Hould at 390-4797, or vice-president, Frank Kindle 390-3924. Derby questions can be directed to Jerey McEwen 390-3381 (or you may text him as well). Plan for the weather and prepare to enjoy some of the finest driving skills in Montana. The best price available for this entertainment is another attraction – the gate fee is a FREE WILL OFFERING.

Anyone who is unable to attend the races and would like to bid on the items can provide bids to Scott or Frank or Kari Hould at 390-3552. Keep in mind that cell phone service is limited in the Dodson area and plan accordingly for bidding purposes. Anyone with questions about food or donations may also contact Kari (text also accepted). The Dodson Speedway extends an invitation to attend and support the worthwhile event and help with the expenses TJ and Millie have incurred. The Dodson Speedway hopes the community will fill the grandstands with support for this cause and TJ. SEE YOU AT THE RACES!