Randy Pluff Benefit Oct. 23

Randy Pluff, whose story we brought to you in our Sept. 2 issue, continues to recover from surgery to remove an anaplastic oligoastrocytoma, commonly referred to as a brain tumor.

His friends have organized a benefit, Tailgating with Chopper, for Oct. 23 at the Gordon Lodge to support Pluff and raise funds to help with medical bills and other costs related to his treatment. The event starts at 2 pm and lasts until 9 pm, with food and fun for the whole family. The fundraiser includes a silent auction, Chinese raffle, live auction, a giving tree and children’s games as the Green Bay Packers play the Minnesota Vikings.

Pluff had surgery to remove the tumor in June, but after an infection was discovered in August, Pluff had a second surgery that left him with a titanium plate in his head. When we first spoke to Pluff, he hoped to be off antibiotics and have started radiation therapy by Sept. 13. His wife Michele Bhirdo-Pluff said the infection did not go away as quickly as the doctor thought, and Pluff remains on antibiotics.

“Once the infection is gone – as far as we’ve been told – he’s cleared for treatment,” she said.

Pluff needs to undergo five weeks of general radiation treatment before undergoing a more specialized type known as cyberknife radiation.

The 40-year-old Baileys Harbor native worked for the past 21 years at Bridenhagen Tree & Landscape. He and Bhirdo-Pluff have two daughters, 12-year-old Jordan and 10-year-old Payton.