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Some people have all the luck.

In Jerry Thompson's case, a lot of it hasn't been very good.

Thompson, who suffered permanent partial paralysis on his left side after a car struck him when he was riding a bike in 1986, came down with hives last Dec. 23. When the hives spread to his face, he friends were worried that his breathing could be affected, so they took him to the hospital in Spirit Lake for an epinephrine shot and a blood clot formed. "Less than an hour later I was back with a heart attack," Thompson said.

Thompson was rushed as quickly as the ambulance could travel during the inclement weather to the McKennan heart hospital in Sioux Falls, S.D. where he remained for a day and a half, racking up a $30,000 bill.

Thompson has no health insurance.

He's still doing cardiac rehabilitation three days a week, and probably because of his relatively young age, his heart appears healthy. He only wishes though that the same could be said of his hospital bill.

Friends are holding a benefit dinner and silent auction for Jerry 5-7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 25 at United Methodist Church in Estherville.

A free-will donation will be taken for the meal of pulled pork sandwiches with two sides and drink. The silent auction bidding starts at 5 p.m. and ends at 6:50 p.m.

Anyone would would like to help Jerry out but can't attend the benefit can send a check to Jerry Thompson % Gina Ove, 1613 Hill Ave., Spirit Lake, IA 51360.