Owatonna Woman Battles Rare Disease; Reggie’s to Host Benefit Saturday

Ana Tonche of Owatonna was diagnosed in November with Shingles, a painful ailment. It turns out her condition is much worse. When medication wasn't working, further tests were administered and it was determined that Tonche is suffering from a very rare muscle and skin inflammatory disease called Dermatomyositis. An infliction so rare, that her daughter Daisy says it has been seen a few times at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester. She spent over a week in the hospital during the diagnosis stage, at times in severe pain.

A benefit pool tournament fundraiser will be held Saturday, April 14 at Reggie's Brewhouse in Owatonna. The event will include a silent auction and meat raffles plus a beer bash from 7-9PM. Ron Schouweler, who runs Reggie's, says Tonche has been a member of the local pool playing community for many years. Her current condition does not allow her to continue to play, though she is able to get out of the house on occasion.

Daisy says her mother's disease is not hereditary and not contagious, but there is no cure it tires her out easily, thus she is not able to work. Ana is currently taking multiple medications and making frequent trips to Rochester as doctors continue to treat her. Insurance covers some of the expense, but the costs keep adding up.

Silent auction items can still be donated by dropping them off at Reggie's Brewhouse in downtown Owatonna or call 507-213-6044 and someone can come pick up a donation. Entries for the pool tournament will be taken right up until play begins at 10AM on April 14. The entry fee is $30 with three divisions of play.

Schouweler and Daisy Tonche spoke with KRFO radio about the fundraiser and how the disease is affecting Ana.