Friends host benefit for MS victim

By MARGIE TRAX PAGE - Staff Writer - mtrax@starbeacon.com
Star Beacon

May 29, 2008 11:30 pm

— GENEVA — It has been more than six months since Renee Kollar took a step on her own.
Multiple sclerosis has stolen the 34-year-old’s mobility, her short-term memory and her independence, but she is determined — now more than ever — to dance her way through life with a sparkling personality and outgoing spirit.
“I know I am more than MS. I know I can do great things. This is part of who I am, but it isn’t all that I am,” she said.
Kollar, a 1992 Geneva High School graduate, has struggled in recent years with her disease, so much so that her friends decided to give her a helping hand.
The “Rockin’ for Renee K” benefit will be held from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. June 8 at the Cove Nightclub in Geneva-on-the-Lake. The event will feature five bands: The Velvematics, The Lost Sheep Band, Uhmojah Nation, Amish Electric Chair and Sarasota. Admission is $5 per person.
A Chinese auction will include Indians tickets, Browns pre-season tickets and many gift certificates to local businesses. A 50/50 raffle will also be held. Picnic-style food will be available for $5 per plate.
For more information on the benefit, call (440) 862-3827.
Tiffanee Seams said she can only imagine what Kollar is going through and hopes to establish a fund to see Kollar through her worst financial woes.
“Renee is so strong and so amazing and I know people will come out to support her,” Seams said.
Kollar’s problems began in 1997 when she began to lose her balance regularly and she had intense pain in her legs. Then a Florida resident, she was diagnosed with everything from lupus, fibromyalgia, Lou Gehrig’s disease, and Crohn’s disease.

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