Community reaches out to ill man

From the Sunday, August 3, 2008 edition of the Northwest Herald:

Community reaches out to ill man
By DIANA SROKA - dsroka@nwherald.com

JOHNSBURG – Two months ago, Len Nusser, 49, was in “the best health of his life.”

He enjoyed fishing, playing and interacting with his eight children, daughter Anna Rose Nusser said. Then doctors discovered he had a double bacterial staph infection.

Nusser has been in and out of intensive care since early June and now is battling life-threatening organ failure at Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood.

“We are all praying for a miracle,” said Anna Rose Nusser, 25.

To help cover medical costs, the Johnsburg Lions Club will donate proceeds from its Aug. 7 meat raffle to the Nusser family.

Steak, chicken, pork chops and other grill-friendly meats with retail values between $80 and $125 will be raffled. Raffle tickets must be bought for each raffle and cost $1 or $5 for six tickets.

Since Nusser was hospitalized, family members – including wife, Cindy, and eight children between ages 10 and 25 – have experienced an outpouring of support.

Family and friends have brought food for the family, and the sign outside Johnsburg High School has a message encouraging Len Nusser to get well.

A Nusser Family Fund for donations also was established at Harris Bank by a family friend.

“His intention since he came off life support is to spend the remainder of his life [repaying] all the kindness that has been done for him and his family,” said family friend Terry Carrick of Johnsburg.

Carrick encouraged people who cannot attend the meat raffle to visit any Harris Bank branch and make a donation for the family or donate gift cards for school clothing or supplies for the Nusser children.

She and Anna Rose Nusser also encouraged the community to continue praying.

“Through our faith, we believe a miracle is possible for full, complete healing,” Anna Rose Nusser said.