Leader Publications staff members invite readers, neighbors, friends and local business representatives to join them for a day filled with fun and purpose.
The newspaper company is holding Cornhole for a Cause, a fundraising cornhole tournament to support Leader business manager Patty Smallegan, who is undergoing cancer treatments.
This tournament is an opportunity for people to come together, offer support and show how much Smallegan means to the Leader team and other community members.
The event will be held Saturday, July 26, at Cornhole Central STL, 36 Gannon Square, in Pevely. Doors will open at 1 p.m., and the tournament will take place from 2-5 p.m.
Registration costs $50 for a team of two.
Diagnosis
If you have ever stopped by the Leader office in Festus or called the
office to place advertisements or ask questions, there is a good chance you have spoken with Smallegan, 52, of Festus.
She has worked for the Leader for four years and was diagnosed with Stage 4 colon cancer on April 22, 2024.
Patty Smallegan
“I scheduled a routine colonoscopy when I was 50, the recommended age at the time to start getting colonoscopies, and my doctor was booked out quite far, so I received my first colonoscopy shortly after I turned 51. He gave me my results almost immediately and told me I had cancer,” Smallegan said. “I was shocked. Colon cancer does not run in my family.
“Nothing felt out of the ordinary. Nothing indicated that something was wrong.”
Smallegan said once she received the serious diagnosis, she quickly received biopsy results, scheduled surgery and got referred to an oncologist.
“I had a colon resection in June of 2024. They took out the cancer in the colon successfully, and that’s when they tested for cancer elsewhere. Stage 4 means that the cancer has moved outside to other organs. And, during the surgery, they tested the lymph nodes, and it was also in my lymph nodes. Then they saw spots on my liver and my lungs and biopsied the liver, which was also cancer,” Smallegan said.
She said the diagnosis instantly changed her day-to-day life and got her reflecting on how she wants to spend her time with those closest to her.
“It does make you want to spend more time with your friends and family. For me, it is my grandchildren and children, and I want to make as many memories as I can with them, because you are never promised tomorrow,” Smallegan said.
Awareness
Smallegan said she wants to raise awareness about colon cancer and how adults can better take care of themselves, pointing out that doctors have lowered the recommended age to schedule a colonoscopy to 45 because younger people are being diagnosed with colon cancer earlier and earlier.
“My suggestion is not to put off getting your colonoscopy at 45. It’s not a fun thing, and the prep work is awful, but it’s a short procedure. And you know, if they can get in there and take a small, non-cancerous polyp, that’ll save you down the line from it turning cancerous,” Smallegan said.
For those undergoing cancer treatment, Smallegan stresses the importance of prioritizing your mental health in ways that make sense to you, adding that it’s important to keep living life and making memories despite a serious diagnosis.
“While chemo is good for the cancer, it’s bad for your body. So, it takes a toll on you. It makes you exhausted, nauseous, gives you ‘chemo fog,’ and wears on your mental health. My family’s support helps me the most during the hard times, but my doctor also accommodates my treatments based on how I am feeling,” she said. “That helps me out a bit.”
Smallegan said that when she heard about her colleagues’ plan to hold the cornhole fundraiser, she was overwhelmed by the news.
“I was grateful and very appreciative of my friends and coworkers doing something like this for me. I didn’t want this to add more work onto them, but I really am thankful,” she said. “To know that people are willing to attend to show their support makes me happy. It is all very touching,” she said.
Teamwork makes the dream work
Kayla Rhineberger, a Leader advertising account representative and close friend of the Smallegan family, came up with the idea of holding a benefit for Smallegan and after discussing the idea with Leader digital marketing manager Katelyn Mary Skaggs, they settled on the cornhole tournament.
“Patty does so much for the office and celebrates us in every way she can. She is such a good person and deserves the support,” she said. “She knows the ins and outs of the Leader. She loves her job and is an extremely hard worker. She takes care of us, and we are so lucky to have her.
“Patty has done multiple treatments now, and my dad (Darrin Jemtrud) had cancer, so I know how expensive it is. I know how it adds up. He ended up passing away from it only after four months. We were swamped with medical bills in those four months. I know this benefit is not going to cover everything, but at least it’ll help her a little bit, and it doesn’t only help her. Of course, it helps out her family as well.”
Smallegan is married to Shawn, a Jefferson R-7 Fire Protection District firefighter. The two have one son, Zach, also an R-7 firefighter, and two grandchildren, Rhett, 8, and Gracie, 4.
Event details
Rhineberger said playing cornhole should be a fun way to bring people together and help out a good cause.
“We are excited for people to play a fun game while helping out our Patty. She deserves a good turnout,” Rhineberger said.
The day will consist of a round-robin, double-elimination tournament, a 50-50 raffle and raffle baskets. At the end of the event, a two-burner Blackstone grill, generously donated by Houska’s Ace Hardware in Arnold, will be raffled off. Those raffle tickets will cost $10 for one or $25 for three. You do not need to be present at the event to win.
Winners will receive trophies.
Food and drinks will be available for purchase, with $1 from each item purchased benefiting the Smallegan family.
Whether you would like to play in the tournament, donate a raffle item or make a contribution, all proceeds from this event will go toward our friend during her treatment.
The Leader appreciates your support. To register a team or to donate, visit myleaderpaper.com/cornhole/ or email kayla@myleaderpaper.com.