Friends in Need

Two of our friends need our help.

First, John Billings is dealing with the effects of cancer with chemo and radiation treatments, and needs reconstructive surgery in a Cleveland clinic. He’s been living with his daughter in Florida, taking care of her two children, but has not been able to work for some time now. John does have partial health insurance, but it doesn’t cover everything, and it doesn’t cover housing in, nor transportation to and from Cleveland.

Friends will be gathering on Wednesday, June 20th, between 5:00 – 9:00 pm at Jetties Beach Restaurant for great food and a cash bar, a live auction with auctioneer Billy Santos, and music by Sheppard’s Pie. Tickets will be $25 at the door, or in advance at Even Keel Cafe and the Rose & Crown.

Save the date and plan to attend. More details later on that, but for now, we’re asking for you to donate auction items. It could be your house in St. Barth’s, flight time on your airplane, your artwork, a shopping spree, your chef abilities for a dozen people or so, meals in your restaurant. Be imaginative. Contact Jenny Garneau at 508-325-0048, or ackess@nantucket.net.

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Rachel Parrotto Budzynski is a young mother, daughter Isabella, who has led an active and healthy lifestyle, and was a practicing acupuncturist here on Nantucket. Rachel is in the biggest fight of her life. She was diagnosed in January with a rare form of cancer: high-grade neuroendocrine carcinoid. Her prognosis is highly uncertain and she may require some form of chemotherapy every year for the rest of her life. Rachel has had to go on medical leave due to her illness. As a result, her income has been eliminated and with that the Budzynski family needs our help.

Rachel’s friends and family have come together for “Raise It Up For Rachel!” at the Rose & Crown on Sunday, June 24th, from 6:00 – 10:00 pm. The money raised will supplement living expenses, transportation to and from Dana Farber Cancer Institute, lodging in Boston during chemo treatments, daycare expenses for Isabella, and the option for additional treatment and rehabilitation.

Tickets are $25 – $50 per person (sliding scale). There will be a silent and live auction, as well as raffle(s) and mystery prizes in balloons for purchase at $20, $50 and $100. Debba at the R&C will be the auctioneer. DJ music, cash bar, and food.

For tickets, information, and donations, send an email to “raiseitupforrachel@hotmail.com.” Volunteers will be checking in to answer any questions. Or call Mindy Levin at 325-4777, Laura Wasserman at 325-0562, or Virna Gonzalez at 917-494-0187.

That same day, mentalist and hypnotist Paul Carpenter will perform at Bennett Hall in a benefit for Rachel. I’ll announce the exact times and ticket prices here as soon as I know.