At least one freshman Missouri state representative will be keeping a campaign promise next week. Representative-elect Randy Pietzman (R-Troy) will bring 14-year-old cancer survivor Maddie Olson of Elsberry to the Inaugural Ball as his guest.
Cancer survivor Maddie Olson, 14 of Elsberry, will be the guest of state Representative-elect Randy Pietzman at the 2015 Inaugural Ball at the Missouri Capitol. (courtesy; Facebook)
Pietzman met Olson during his campaign after she saw one of his signs and reached out to him. In her battle with medulloblastoma, Maddie has undergone surgery to remove a tumor in her brain and chemotherapy to battle a tumor in the center of her spine, and has been cancer free for more than 200 days. Pietzman promised that if he won election he would take her to the 2015 ball at the State Capitol.
In a press release, Pietzman said, “there were many long, difficult days during the campaign when that promise was what motivated me to keep working. I am so excited to be able to make good on my promise by giving her this special day that I know means the world to her.”
Pietzman said Maddie and her family plan to make the trip to Jefferson City the morning of Wednesday, January 7. The day will begin with the swearing-in of Pietzman and the other members of the House at noon in the House Chamber. There will then be events throughout the day ending with the Inaugural Ball that evening.
Follow Maddie on her Facebook page.
