The family of a 4-year-old daughter of two Fredonia School of Music faculty members will be the recipient of money raised during the Childhood Cancer Benefit Barbecue that Fredonia for St. Jude and the Blue Devils’ baseball team will stage during the Fredonia-Plattsburgh doubleheader at Ludwig Field on Saturday afternoon, April 30.
Half of the proceeds raised by the student organization at the benefit will be allocated to the McPherson Family Treatment Fund, an account established to support Eleanor “Ella” Seigel, daughter of flute methods teacher Nicole McPherson and her husband, clarinet Associate Professor Andrew Seigel. The remaining portion will be forwarded to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
“Our group is committed to participating, fundraising and hosting the raffle, merchandise and activities tables during the baseball game so that the team is able to focus their efforts on the game,” said Alison Malcolm, Fredonia for St. Jude president.
Beginning with the first pitch thrown at noon – and continuing until the last out is recorded in the second game - members of Fredonia for St. Jude will sell tickets for 10 to 15 gift baskets filled with merchandise and certificates donated by local businesses. St. Jude t-shirts will be sold, a 50/50 raffle staged and free face-painting will be offered for children. Hennas that are custom designed and caricatures will be available for $2 each.
Free hot dogs, pop and water will be served, though donations will be accepted.
Eleanor was just 6 months old when she was diagnosed with High-Risk Infant Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. She completed a two-year treatment cycle and is currently considered in remission, though the disease carries a five-year survival rate of 40 to 60 percent, Dr. McPherson explained.
“But she is fighting with all of her might,” she said.
Proceeds are going to the McPherson account help to cover co-pays for medical appointments and medications, as well as transportation costs incurred for frequent trips to Buffalo for treatment and tests. Eleanor plans to join her older brother, Benjamin, and her parents at the game.
Carrying on her parents’ love of music, Eleanor began playing the cello at the age of 3. She also just started T-ball and will attend preschool this fall, “a huge milestone for her,” McPherson noted.
“We are excited to be a part of this wonderful event again and hope to make it as successful as last year’s,” Ms. Malcolm said. Cassidy Monroe, another local girl afflicted with cancer, was the recipient of proceeds from last year’s childhood cancer benefit that raised over $500.
Those attending either or both baseball games are encouraged to bring plastic bottles and cans for the “Cans for Cancer” campaign that Fredonia for St. Jude will conduct throughout the Dunkirk/Fredonia area on Sunday, May 1, to benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. To have cans and bottles picked up on Sunday, 9 a.m. to noon, contact Malcolm at (914) 882-3704 or malc4192@fredonia.edu.
