REGIONAL – In its 15th year helping those diagnosed with cancer, the Rowley-based charity Solace for Stephanie has spent more than $150,000 helping more than 130 people either with direct financial help or college scholarships for high school seniors in families of cancer victims.
Next month, Solace, which is named for Stephanie Jenkins, a popular Rowley hairdresser who died of cancer, will again host its Comedy Night to bring an evening of laughter to many who need it.
“This is a pinnacle year, a year of reflection and remembrance,” said MaryAnn (Mo) Levasseur, a friend of Stephanie, who with the Jenkins family has led this organization. “We need to look back at what we have done. We have stayed together as a family for 15 years. We are united.”
She praised the supporters and volunteers, who come from all over the North Shore. “Their support makes it happen. They are our solace.”
The non-profit organization this year has helped 15 cancer sufferers with gift cards that help pay for groceries, transportation and parking to doctors’ offices and hospitals and massages that are critical to reducing stress and helping the healing process, she said.
This year has seen more young people with cancer being referred to Solace. Gavin was referred to Solace after he was diagnosed with a rare type of brain tumor in his senior year of high school. “He graduated while going through treatment,” Levasseur said.
Solace gave him a scholarship to help pay for college as well as other support.
Another beneficiary is an eight-year-old.
Levasseur is particularly proud of helping a single mother of five children in Ipswich, who was referred to Solace by a member of the Essex County Networkers, a business organization that supports Solace.
“(The diagnosis) rocked her world,” Levasseur said.
But after a year of treatments, including extensive chemotherapy treatments, she has turned a corner. It was the largest commitment of its resources this year.
Last year, the comedy night, hosted by Paul Gilligan, raised more than $25,000 in one night to support Solace’s efforts.
In a wrap-up letter to the hundreds of “angels,” who participated in the Comedy Night, Levasseur wrote: “Whether it was hands on behind the scenes, to purchasing a ticket, to sending a donation, to sponsoring a gift card, to volunteering that night. We could go on and on. YOU made the difference.”
The Comedy Night includes dinner by Dinner Ala Cart and a full bar, plus a ton of laughs from Gilligan, Paul D’Angelo and Dan Crohn – all for a good cause. Tickets are $75 on line.
For more information or to get involved, visit:
www.solaceforstephanie.org.
