Sodbusters to host benefit for Jill Olson, April 15th
It’s cancer, a phrase that no one ever wants to hear. From the extreme emotional distress, physical pain, countless hours at the doctor, high medical bills, and so much more, those that are diagnosed with cancer, their lives are changed forever.
For Jill Leadbetter Olson, that unfortunate news came in May 2022. Jill was told she was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer. Born and raised in Valley City, Jill and her husband, Jeff, live on the family farm outside town with their two children. When she received the news, she knew she wanted nothing to change for her family and wanted to remain positive throughout the process. It was their goal as a family to fight the disease, but not let it effect their lives.
After months of doctor visits, chemo, radiation, and surgery Jill will begin another round of chemo to address new spots on her liver. Coming up in April she will start her treatment at Mayo Clinic. She has been doctoring at the Roger Maris Cancer Center in Fargo and will likely continue treatment through both Mayo and Roger Maris.
It takes a strong warrior to mentally and physically endure all that comes with cancer treatment. Not only is it taxing to the body, but the financial strain that it causes to families is something that no one should have to experience. For Jill, her chemo was every two weeks with each visit lasting 4-5 hours. After that a pump would be hooked up with infusions that would last for around 46 hours via the port on her body. Jill would then need to travel back to Roger Maris to get the pump removed and spend the next couple days recovering. If you do the math on that, for her it was five days of treatment and recovery
only to then have to continue that cycle just a few days later. Trying to save her body from the cancer that started in her colon and spread to her liver, Jill experienced debilitating symptoms like nausea, dehydration and exhaustion to just name a few. Taking each day as it comes, Jill continues to work part time for the Barnes County Soil Conservation District. She enjoys attending all the volleyball and basketball games for her 17-yearold daughter (even if that means sitting in the stands with her chemo pump hooked up), while keeping in touch with her 20-year-old son, new to the college scene, and helping Jeff with the family farm.
A benefit for Jill held on Saturday, April 15, from 4 p.m.-12 a.m. at Sodbusters in Sibley, ND. A smoked pulled pork dinner will be served, along with meat raffle, silent auction, gun raffle, and live band. The silent auction will end at 7:30 p.m. with band, Chad Haugen and the Hired Hands, starting at 9 p.m.. If unable to attend the event, monetary donations are accepted at any Bank Forward location referencing the Jill Olson Benefit. If anyone would like to donate an item to help with the benefit or want additional information you can call or text Jordan Svenningsen at 701-840-2254. If interested you can also visit the Facebook event “Jill Olson Benefit” for additional details and updates.
The benefit is being held to help with the increasing medical costs and living expenses so that Jill can focus on her treatment and recovery. The TimesRecord spoke with Jill and she would like to thank everyone for their support. “I have no words to express the amount of gratitude that I have for those in the community that have reached out in support. My family is normally more private and when news had gotten out about the benefit it was overwhelming the amount of support I have received,” Olson said.