ROYAL CITY - Royal High School 2004 graduate Flannery Edwards, daughter of RHS counselor Marge Edwards, recently underwent surgery in Pennsylvania for a brain tumor and is in dire need of financial help to get home to Royal and recuperation.

The brain tumor was discovered recently, and it took 16 hours of delicate surgery to remove, according to family friend and Royal teacher-librarian Susan Piercy. Then there were unfortunate complications.

"Finally Marge is arranging to bring Flannery home for recovery," Piercy said. "She will need extensive rehabilitation to recover the ability to speak and swallow as well as other problems on her right side. Therapy may take up to two years."

Transporting Flannery home will be expensive. She will be unable to fly and will need to rest often along the 3,000 mile route from Pennsylvania back to Washington, traveling only about 3 hours at a time.

"The financial drain will be immense," Piercy said.

Flannery's medical bills are being arranged, but any donations for fuel, motel stays, food and car rental will be appreciated. Donations can be left with Mrs. Finch, Mrs. Neiffer, or Mrs. Piercy at Royal High School.

"Our target date to send money for Flannery and her mom is May 1," Piercy said.

Flannery graduated from Royal High School in 2004. She was a percussionist in concert and marching band, played tennis, and was Royal's Junior Miss in 2003.

Flannery graduated from the University of Rochester in New York and had recently started a job in Pennsylvania.

For more information, you may call one of the three of persons named above. Percy's work number is 346-2256, ext. 360.