Join Jo-Anne Fowler in her fight
By Bruce Mason, Gabriola Sounder
Monday, March 17 2008
She will be 41 years of age this week, one week before the community rallies to help support her in her battle against cancer by staging a benefit concert. It will be the sort of evening that will make you glad to be here.
Jo-Anne Fowler is doing all she can, but as we all know fighting the disease is a full-time job and the hardest work of all.
Last month in the Sounder we told readers how she moved to Gabriola nearly a decade ago and immediately became involved in the community, until the disease made it impossible to work, including as a volunteer, and that she and her husband Al Groskorth - himself a cancer survivor - were beginning to fall behind in their bills.
Local businesses, artists, including musicians and others have generously answered the call for help and posters for the event at the Community Hall have appeared on-island, followed by donation tins being distributed by her 13 year-old step daughter, Selena.
Her foster son Nathaniel produced a CBC radio documentary on their relationship and created a website - www.nathaniel.ca - to share her story and the fundraising initiatives.
Jo-Anne said: “To all who are donating and offering their time, your generosity has not gone unnoticed and will never be forgotten.
“My family and I send you all endless thanks,” she added. “We are humbled by the kindness of the many people offering to help us on the Island and our friends from other parts of Vancouver Island and BC.”
Right now, start-up funds are required for the hall rental, food for the concession (tea, coffee, baked goods, chips and bottled water), etc. For example, Fowler needs ingredients to bake cinnamon buns and hopes folks will volunteer for the event, or to help organize it. Call her at 247-0214.
Donations of goods and services to a silent auction continue to be made - too numerous to be listed here, or on the poster - and are another unique attraction at the benefit. Tickets are $12 at Raspberry’s and Colleen’s.
Al and Nathaniel will MC the event and have their hands full. The evening will provide a wonderful opportunity to enjoy some of Gabriola’s legendary performers for the first time, or catch up on their music.
Bob Bossin will be joined by Dinah D onstage. Lou Gradanti will perform solo numbers and has invited students from his The Octave Music Studio to perform as well, which is always a treat, filled with surprises.
Lou will also play with the five piece band SAJE, highly recommended by everyone who has enjoyed their unique music. Steve Elder will take care of sound so Gradanti will be free to perform.
And in case you haven’t noticed, Kathy Mc is back after a year-long hiatus from performing. Ms McIntyre is joining Victor Antony, the entertaining real deal musician that folks have been raving about since he arrived on the island from his native Tennessee.
It’s a great lineup and a great opportunity to experience the Island community at its very best!
Once again: the Jo-Anne Fowler Benefit Concert is Saturday, March 29th at the Community Hall. Doors open at 6:30 pm; the show starts at 7. Advance tickets are $12 at Raspberry’s Jazz Café upstairs at Artworks and Colleen’s Home & Fashion Centre and will also be sold at the door.
If you are unable to make it, an account has been set up at the Coastal Community Credit Union (#113166) for people who would like to lend a welcome hand.
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