KINGMAN - This weekend's celebration of all things Irish in Chloride will include several fundraisers for a 24-year-old local man.
David Wolter has dealt with hyperthyroidism, or an overactive thyroid gland, for most of his life, but it wasn't until last year that his condition became life threatening.
The tumor on Wolter's thyroid began growing at an aggressive rate around his esophagus, affecting both his ability to breathe and swallow.
"I could only eat every two to three days," he said.
At one point last year, Wolter lost 20 pounds and was hospitalized for 10 days.
Because of insurance issues, it was another several months before he had surgery to remove the tumor that had grown to weigh a pound and a half. Wolter has insurance through the Arizona Healthcare Cost Containment System and was turned away from three doctors in Phoenix before having surgery at Kingman Regional Medical Center in December 2009. The high-risk surgery took 4-1/2 hours.
"There was a good chance that I would never speak again," he said.
Wolter said his prognosis is good at this time, but he and his family incurred a number of expenses as a result of his treatment.
This weekend's fundraisers were organized by friends of Wolter's family and will include a metal detector contest and gold panning booth. Wolter, who is originally from Illinois, moved to Chloride some 15 or so years ago and learned about gold prospecting when he was a child from late miner James Rice.
The gold panning booth will take place during Saturday's parade and festivities. The cost is $10 to pan, and people can keep whatever gold they find.
The metal detector contest will begin at 10 a.m. Sunday at the King Tut mine up Pierce Ferry Road toward Meadview. The cost is $25 for individuals and $35 for couples. For directions or more information, call Jill at (406) 261-1957.
An account has also been set up at National Bank of Arizona for Wolter.
Donations need to include account number 7523003595 and can be made in person or mailed to P.O. Box 1328, Dolan Springs, AZ., 86441.
