Skip To Main Content
Skip To Main Content

Scoreboard

University of Wisconsin La Crosse Athletics

Audra Bena Day at the Park


Audra Charity Game Header-2



 

Audra Therese Bena
Aug. 30, 1994 - July 11, 2010
 
Audra Bena Pic

Background Story

July, 2009.... First symptoms...

Audra started getting some mild headaches around the middle of July. Tylenol took care of them. About a week later some dizziness started and some throwing up. On Monday, July 27, 2009 she started getting double vision. She played her last softball game of the season on Wed, July 29th and the double vision was bad and she got sick at the game. That was when we decided to go to the clinic and see a doctor. On Thursday, July 30 we had some blood work was done with the thought of H1N1 or Lymes disease. The doctor, concerned with the double vision, decided an MRI should be done.

On Friday, July 31 we drove down to the main La Crosse Gunderson Clinic for an early MRI at 8:15 AM. By 9 AM she was out of that MRI and the doctors wanted us to drive directly to the Onalaska Clinic where we met with our family doctor, Kelly Bahr, who turned into an angel that day. We were a little surprised to be going directly to meet with doctors since we had not set up an appointment. Silly us, we thought maybe they found something on the blood work that told them what was going on. We didn't think that they would see something on that MRI that quickly.  They found an inoperable brainstem tumor (Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma) about the size of a golf ball. That day Audra got rung through the ringer.

2 MRI's, braces removed for the second for a better scan, a CT scan and she was fitted for her radiation mask that will keep her head rock steady for the treatments.  She received radiation treatments 5 days a week for 6 weeks starting on Wed., August 5.  Audra had an MRI in November and the tumor shrunk 50% with those radiation treatments. We were very excited about that.

Unfortunately on the next MRI which happened in the beginning of January showed the tumor had some new growth.  We then were referred to Dr. Goldman at the Children's Memorial Hospital in Chicago. Dr. Goldman worked with our doctor's here in La Crosse and came up with a combination of chemo that gave Audra an extra 6 months of life before the tumor broke through that treatment plan.  We attempted one other treatment plan but the tumor did not respond to it.

The tumor was very aggressive and Audra passed away on 7/11/2010.

She fought hard and loved every moment of her life.
Audra was an angel here on earth and had a smile on her face every day and brought so much joy to all around her. She showed the kind of strength and determination that only a saint would have.

7/11 - Audra is in heaven.

God's Blessing on all of you.

The Bena's Four Ever!!







 
EVENT INFORMATION FOR 4/24 & 5/3

This event will benefit the Audra Bena Foundation as well as Audra’s Animals from Heaven which helps sick children
get the pet that they always wanted. 

Following the second game of each doubleheader, volunteers will be coming out with their pet therapy animals for the crowd to interact with.  
Animals were a huge part of Audra Bena’s life
and with that we want to share with you. 

There will also be a drawing during the event as well. This event will benefit the Audra Bena Foundation as well as Audra’s Animals from Heaven which helps sick children get the pet that they always wanted. 
Following the second game of each doubleheader, volunteers will be coming out with their pet therapy animals for the crowd to interact with.  
Animals were a huge part of Audra Bena’s life and with that we want to share with you. 

There will also be a drawing during the event as well. 
 

EVENT ACTIVITIES & PROMOTIONS

Fans, are encouraged to help support this special cause, the Audra Bena Foundation by making a donation at the marketing table.

For a minimum of $5 you will receive a ticket to be entered to win a  t-shirt as well as a UW-L exclusive goodie bag, filled with miscellaneous prizes.

Thank you for supporting the Audra Bena Foundation.

Winner will be announced at the end of game two. 
 
In honor of Audra we will be doing a 50/50 raffle tickets for each game of both double header dates…
one ticket for $1.00
six tickets for $5.00
arm’s length for $10.00

The Eagle’s 50%
will go to the Audra’s Animals from Heaven foundation. 

Winners will be announced at end of both games

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION & EVENT ACTIVITIES
TO BE DETERMINED FOR 5/3 GAMES
 


For more information about the Audra Bena Foundation please visit:

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/audrabena

For more information about Audra's Animals from Heaven please visit:

http://www.audrasanimals.com/