Enterprise Dispatch Blog

Little 2-year-old Madison Kautz returned Jan. 17 to her home in Cokato,
taking a short break from her rounds of chemo, which are required for
treatment of brain cancer.

A benefit conducted in Silver Lake Oct. 25 rallied the community behind
the toddler. “I believe that all involved would say that the benefit went great, and was a huge success,” commented Madison’s mother Amber Kautz, who is a 2004 Dassel-Cokato graduate.

Madison is the granddaughter of Larry and Kathy Kautz of Cokato.
The family is thankful to so many who made the benefit such a success.
“Joe McPherson did a great job providing music to those who ate and
those who waited. The silent auction was also a hit, with many different
items from kids’ toys, toy tractors, kitchen products, scrapbooking
supplies, gift certificates and so much more.”

“Then there was the bake sale,” Amber noted. “The place was overwhelmed
with the smell of freshly baked goodies. There was something for
everyone,” she commented. The waffles were made by Dad’s Belgium Waffles.
Madison and her family would like to recognize everyone who donated
items for the auction, bake sale and kids’ raffle.

They appreciated all those who gave their time and talents to make the
day a success, and to everyone who showed up to give their support of
Madison. “It was great to see the large crowd gathered in support of
Madison and her family,” she said. The family also made a special note of those who helped and worked in the kitchen.

Madison has been taking rounds of chemo, and will receive a bone marrow
transplant and an MRI before starting her next round of chemo.
Last year, a highly malignant brain tumor was discovered by doctors,
which was spreading inside Madison’s body. She underwent surgery July 12
for a biopsy and removal of the tumor.

Results came back July 16 indicating it is a primitive neuroectodermal
tumor containing undeveloped brain cells, is highly malignant, and
likely to spread (which it already did) through the central nervous

system, according to Amber.  Fortunately, this rare form of cancer is curable, but Madison will undergo radiation for some time.  The doctors will know by age 5 if Madison is fully cured, Amber said.