Greg Berg is a fighter.

Saturday, April 08, 2000

Greg Berg is a fighter. He was first diagnosed with cancer last year, in his neck. He just finished radiation therapy for that last week. Now there’s more cancer in his lymph nodes going to his lungs and, doctors in Janesville, Wis. who are treating him say, they can’t give him radiation because his asthma is too bad. His weight is down to 155 lbs.; he has a hard time eating, and he can only talk in a whisper.

To top it all off, Berg was uninsured when cancer struck. Self-employed and never sick a day in his life, he took the wrong gamble.

However, doctors at Mayo said that treatment was possible and the largest cancer treatment center in the world in Texas says there is hope. Berg just has to get there.

Born and raised in Austin, Berg isn’t the only fighter in the family. His big sister, Penny Nolta of Austin, is determined to do all that she can. Even though she is struggling with her own health problems – Nolta has ALS, or Lou Gehrig’s disease, a rare uncurable disease of the nervous system which gradually destroys the nerves that control the muscles – she has been out every day for the past several weeks trying to organize a fundraiser for her little brother. If he wants to go to Texas for treatment, well, Nolta is going to do her best to get him there.

To raise money, she is organizing an auction of donated goods, where she and other family members will also sell crafts, baked goods and refreshments.

The auction is set for 1 p.m. April 15 at the Isaac Walton cabin in Todd Park.

"I’ve only had one negative reaction out of all the time I’ve been out knocking on the merchants doors," Nolta said. "People have been just wonderful. It’s surprising how many remember Greg from when he lived here."

Included in the donations are a room from the Holiday Inn, a poolside party from the AmericInn Motel, two lamps, tool sets, a VCR, bracelets from Gretchen’s, a gift tin from Bonnie’s, three radios, a sterling silver necklace, a model car kit, and a whole host of gift certificates: from Midtown Car Wash, HyVee, Taco Johns, Philomathian Book Store, Apold Music, Bell Liquor, Applebee’s, and a number of other businesses.

"Things are still coming in too," Nolta said. "I’m still collecting donations and there are more places to go to next week."

In addition to the items and gift certificates donated by businesses, Nolta is making dream catchers and her mother, Francine Berg, is making dolls with beautiful crocheted dresses, and other family members are working on even more craft items.

"He told me I didn’t have to do this," Nolta said. "but he wants to go to Texas and I want to help him get there. I know if they can help him he’ll give this the good fight."