“Doug is in desperate need of treatment for a rare brain tumor, because of a blood disorder his case has to be handled carefully and special testing is required. He has insurance but they have repeatedly denied the request for special testing. Timing is important”, was written on the Dug Tour Facebook site.
In 2013, George started having issues at work, he is in custodial work for the Elma school system. Recently celebrating his 49th birthday at the end of February, he can no longer work and spends his days hoping that new tests will explain what is going on.
“I just came out of surgery, (March 12), and have to wait for the results to see what the next steps are,” said George from his home in Montesano.
George and DJ Cliff Spody Heckard are childhood friends, both attending school in Raymond. For Spody, this is just one way he can help a friend out.
“I have been running Sody Festivals for about ten years,” Heckhard said. “I cannot say how much money we have been able to raise for people, mostly because we don't really keep track. It is more than just the money; it is about the smiles and hugs that the communities bring to those we are trying to help. But I will say that every dollar that we get from these events, goes right to the person.”
After years of holding birthday parties in his backyard, Heckard grew out of his space and even the neighborhood. While raising money for a niece using the Special Olympics campaign, he discovered that most of the money did not get back to his niece, so he started his own venue and has been helping people ever since.
“I still work with the Special Olympics and organizations like that, but this way I can make sure that the money is given directly to those who are in need,” Heckard said. “No staff fees, or organizational fees; we are just here to help get people funding for anything they may need from medicine to transportation, whatever they need.”
For George, it came as a surprise that not only his childhood friend, but the communities have come out in support of his condition.
“It is completely overwhelming from people that know me and people that do not know me; its crazy,” George said. “We (family) have really benefited from it. We (the community) get a lot of bad flack for our Grays Harbor and Pacific County communities, but they are the most giving people from every walk of life. It happens everyday from babies to people like me, it’s an amazing community. It is small town America where people with nothing come out to help their neighbor.”
After an inoperable tumor was discovered in 2013, another visit to the doctor discovered a second one. George went nine months without knowing what was going to happen until the recent surgery removing the second tumor.
George, a local band member of several bands, most notably Black Ice from the 1980’s, most recently performed at the Pour House in Aberdeen, with his latest band, Taco Truck, playing his bass and singing, just shortly after his first tumor was discovered.
Heckard was able to get up with old band members of Black Ice and with other bands and is holding the second Dug Tour. Starting on March 21, in Raymond at Harley’s Bar and Grill, the scheduled bands are Anitize and the Steve Brown Band. The following night, Saturday, March, 22, Black Ice will be the opening band. Shows are scheduled at 8 pm both nights.
The following weekend the Dug Tour moves on to Aberdeen with another two-night show at the Pour House. Friday night will be Anitize and Clam Hammer and Saturday will have Black Ice and In The Deen.
“We will be filling in more shows and the end of the tour will be at Spody Fest, out at the Montesano VFW Park on June 27 and 28,” Heckard said. “We hope to have a dozen bands over the weekend, and as always there will be camping on the site.”
Though George is still employed, he has had to take a year off and has drawn his last paycheck. Insurance has lapsed and he is only just starting the battle.
To get involved in the Dug Tour, attend a show or to donate to the cause, several Facebook sites are up and running to give information about the tour schedule, the donation avenues or just to give Doug words of encouragement.
Look up the following Facebook sites: Spodyfest; The dug Tour; Doug George "We Still Believe" Page. Like the pages and send a friend.