Local Domestic Violence Awareness Advocate Battles For Her Life | Benefit for Renee Schulz-Stangl
As Domestic Violence Awareness month reaches its halfway point, a local and state domestic violence awareness advocate is fighting for her life.
Renee Schulz-Stangl, Director of Personal Development Center and State Co-Chairman of the Governor’s Council on Domestic Violence, was diagnosed with Aplastic Anemia in July of this year.
Because the diagnosis requires sequester and a bone marrow transplant, only a limited number of hospitals are equipped to treat the condition. Schulz-Stangl is currently undergoing treatment at Froedtert Hospital in Milwaukee, where she received a bone marrow transplant from her brother, Brian, earlier this month, and she will remain at Froedtert for about one month. Following her discharge, she will require an additional three months in the Milwaukee area in a medical setting for continued treatment.
“This has had a devastating financial effect on Renee’s family,” said Shelly Knudson, a friend and organizer of a fundraiser to help the family. “We are having a benefit on Thursday, November 10, starting at 5pm at River Edge to support Renee. The benefit at River Edge will be fun for all who attend while raising money for a great cause.”
Advance purchase tickets are required and are $25, with the last day to purchase being November 3. Tickets are available at many businesses in the area (including Hiller’s True Value, River Edge, Scotty’s Pizza, Nutz Deep) or by calling 715-486-5554. The event will feature a catered meal, live music, silent auctions and raffle items, including from local sports teams: Badgers, Brewers and Packers.
“We are currently in the community now selling raffle tickets for badger and packer tickets, which will also have winners drawn that night, although you do not have to be present to win,” said Knudson.
Through her position at ODC, Schulz-Stangl helped 688 people in 2015 in the City of Marshfield alone.
“I felt it was our obligation and duty as a community to help her in anyway we could,” said Knudson. “We should come together to support Renee because she has made it her career to help others.”
She added that, along with being a mother of three and great community supporter, Schulz-Stangl has been a tireless advocate for victims of domestic abuse.
“Whether you have been or know someone else who may have been in this situation, Renee is out there to support all of these victims, it could be your mother, your sister, your daughter, yourself. She and her agency are there for all. It is our turn to now be there for Renee and her family in her time of need,” she said.
Knudson asks that everyone join the Facebook event and share with friends.
