Music Benefit Sunday afternoon at the NET (Parkersburg)

Press Release November 12, 2008
For Immediate Release To All Media
Contacts: Steve Wells 304.295.4323
John Oesterle: 304.210.6771 or 304.428.1372

Musicians Plan Benefit Concert for John Oesterle

John Oesterle has been through hell. First there was the cancer in his lungs – devastating to body and soul, and just like anyone else, the scariest thing he's ever had to deal with. But he was a cancer survivor. Then there was the painful lung infection that robbed him of the ability to breath and left him with less than 10% lung capacity. But through it all, John kept his spirits high and his attitude positive – remarkable under the circumstances. His health, though, kept heading south like a freight train out of control; and now oxygen was required 24-hours a day just to breath.

Then John's luck started to change – there was hope: a lung transplant. He didn't know if he could qualify to get it; he didn't know if he could do it. But he did. On August 20, 2008, just 12-weeks ago, Earl John Oesterle had a double lung transplant operation at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center's Presbyterian Hospital – he got a second chance on life.

He's doing much better now. The doctors say his recovery so far has been remarkable. Gone is the oxygen, he feels good for the first time in a long time, he can sleep better at night because he can breath, and he even took a walk all the way to Parkersburg's City Park and back from his North Parkersburg home, with no problems. John Oesterle is on the mend.

But Oesterle's problems are far from over. Recovery from an organ transplant is a long journey under the best of circumstances – and the journey never really ends. This is something he'll have to deal with for the rest of his life, in spite of his second chance. And, unfortunately, it's an expensive journey too.

The bad news is that John will have to be on anti-rejection drugs and a series of other necessary drugs for the rest of his life, and they aren't cheap. Right now, his drugs are costing well over $3-thousand a month. And that's forever.

Another thing you should know about John Oesterle is that he has always been a big music fan – especially live music. He's always been a big supporter of live music, and now, some of his many musician friends have decided to put on a show to support him.

Many of the Mid-Ohio Valley's best musicians will perform at "John Oesterle's 2nd Wind," a benefit concert at one of John's favorite places: The North End Tavern & Brewery, on Emerson Avenue in North Parkersburg. The date will be Sunday, November 30, 2008 – the Sunday of Thanksgiving Weekend, from 1PM until 6:30PM. "Hopefully, most people will be tired of turkey and relatives by then, and ready for some good music," said Oesterle.

Proceeds from the benefit concert will go to NTAF Mid-Atlantic Lung Transplant Fund, in honor of John Oesterle. Donation at the door will be $10 per single and $15 per couple. There will also be a separate auction to raise money for The American Cancer Society.

Mr. Joe Roedershimer, proprietor of The NET Brewery will provide the free food and specially discounted (cheap) beer & wine. There will be a 50/50 drawing and some very nice items donated by local businesses to raffle off.

Area musicians who have volunteered their time and music include Mike Morningstar and Rick Roberts, Jon Seymour, Todd Burge, Bobby Kirl, Mike Smith, Smokestack Betty, Dave Richards, Joe Mullinex, Terry Johnson, Larry Neely, David Wells, Gary Paschen and more.

"It's going to be a very rare day of live music at the NET," said Roedershimer. "Great music, cheap beer, and free food: what else could you want?" he said. "It'll be a good time to come help out a friend."


If you are unable to attend the benefit, but want to support John, a tax-deductible contribution can be made to John's fund:
Make checks payable to :NTAF Mid-Atlantic Lung Tx Fund
Note in memo section: In honor of John Oesterle
Please mail to: NTAF
150 N. Radnor Chester Road
Suite F-120
Radnor, PA 19087