by Kirby Lindsay, posted 31 May 2013
On June 8th, an enthusiastic, and determined, group of volunteers will convert Hale’s Palladium into the site of a massive party that starts at 5:30p – an all-ages celebration orchestrated to be a fun, festive, and fundraising effort like none other!
“The idea was, first and foremost, to have a great party,” Alex Weinert explained. “It’s not a sit down,” kind of gathering, he clarified, “it’s a stand around, eat pretzels and drink beer kind of party.” As he also explained, “I don’t think there has been an event like this before…”
‘Rock, Paper, Scissors,’ at the Palladium, is celebratory and a fundraiser for two pediatric cancer research causes. Money raised through ticket sales and the silent auction (paper) as well as the live dance music (rock,) will go to pay for a clinical trial at Children’s Hospital Pediatric Oncology department. Donations made on-behalf of those having their heads shaved (scissors) – including Weinert and his son Owain – will go to St. Baldrick’s Foundation, the largest donor to childhood cancer research programs.
“When Owain was diagnosed, I promised myself I would throw one hell of a party when he was done,” Weinert said, “This is that party!” At the end of May 2013, Owain completed 1,160 days of chemotherapy treatment for ALL – acute lymphoblastic leukemia (a disease the 11-year-old still has trouble pronouncing.) “I had more drugs injected into me than Michael Jackson,” the young survivor joked.
Childhood Cancer
According to Kelly Forebaugh, another parent of a childhood cancer survivor who now works for St. Baldrick’s, ALL is “the most common type of childhood cancer.” Stop, and consider that statement – ‘common…childhood cancer’? As Owain too-wisely joked, “how many childhood cancers are there? Too many!”
Worse still, 60% of adult cancer research is funded or conducted by the pharmaceutical industry, while the industry conducts virtually zero pediatric cancer research. Childhood cancer drug shortages occur, and federal research support has been lost for pediatrics at the same rate as adult cancers – although in the U.S. more children die from cancer than from any other childhood disease. Still, consider also that saving a child from cancer can mean saving a lifetime.
The clinical trial at Children’s Hospital costs approximately $30,000 per child, with the potential to cure each participating child. At ‘Rock, Paper, Scissors,’ volunteers hope to raise that much – and literally save a life.
A Massive Party
At the party June 8th, three local bands will play – The Whole Bolivian Army, Flock of Beavers, and Minimum Safe Distance. A dance floor will set before the bands for those wanting to get their groove on. Another portion of the huge warehouse will be an arcade, with Xbox, foosball, and air hockey. Another area will be given over for snacks from Hale’s, and beverages – both soft and hard.
As for the auction, “that’s getting huge,” Weinert observed. What started as a modest portion of the evening’s many activities has grown as donors stepped up to offer seriously unique opportunities. Theo Chocolate gave a factory tour for 10, to be led by Theo’s founder (and chief cacao procurer) Joe Whinney. SeaStar chef John Howie has offered a cooking class for 30 participants. And the lead scientist on the clinical trial at Children’s will teach a science class, and talk about cancer research.
Solidarity In Shaving
From 6p – 7p, however, another, unique entertainment is scheduled. Several volunteers, for donations, will have their heads shaved by stylists from the Gene Juarez Salon. St. Baldrick’s, and Forebaugh, organize the head shaves, ‘Shave For The Brave,’ to raise awareness, show solidarity with those suffering, and make money for more research and cures, “but not with this many components,” she acknowledged. Head shaving events rarely get this much occasion, and it is to be hoped ‘Rock, Paper, Scissors’ draws more attention to the significance of this sacrifice.
Owain spoke enthusiastically about shaving off his curly locks, even after he lost his hair three times in the last three years. “I just want to raise money for pediatric cancer research,” he said solemnly. He acknowledged that before cancer always seemed like something that happened to others. Now it happened to him.
For Owain, a tipping point came at the hospital. “When you go into Children’s,” he said, “you see way too many babies.” He’s also been deeply affected by the experience of a ‘Code Purple’ – when a parent grows irrational, hysterical, or just loses it under the stress and grief, and hospital staff have to respond. “You see a lot of people going through things they shouldn’t have to,” agreed Weinert.
Trite, Not Untrue
On June 8th, those who have gone through it, and those who want to support them, can celebrate together at the Palladium. “Basically, come have a good time,” Weinert encouraged, “and justify it. It’s for kids’ cancer research.”
“It will sound trite,” Weinert answered when asked what he’s taken from his experiences, fighting cancer alongside Owain, “but don’t take one moment with your child for granted.” It may be trite, but it doesn’t make it untrue. The observation also gives him, for the benefit of many others, a reason to celebrate.
Purchase tickets, at $25 each, to ‘Rock, Paper, Scissors’ through Brown Paper Tickets. Bring friends, loved ones and all the kids, as we all party like there will be a tomorrow for all the children, world-wide, diagnosed with cancer.
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©2013 Kirby Lindsay. This column is protected by intellectual property laws, including U.S. copyright laws. Reproduction, adaptation or distribution without permission is prohibited.