Narcisse gets a little help from his friends
Mia (Danakas) Weinkauf is stepping up to help a friend in need.
Weinkauf is organizing two events in Regina to raise funds for Don Narcisse. The former Saskatchewan Roughriders receiver revealed Friday that he’s been diagnosed with Stage 1 prostate cancer.
Narcisse will undergo radiation treatment in his hometown of Houston. He has medical insurance for the procedure, but will be off work while receiving treatment.
Weinkauf, who has been close friends with Narcisse since he was a Roughriders rookie in 1987, is looking to raise money to help pay his out-of-hospital expenses.
“He’ll need the financial support just to live,” Weinkauf said. “I’m pretty sure he doesn’t have coverage for loss of wages or things like that. Just like any other person, he’ll need the financial support.”
Narcisse lives in Regina, where he works as a salesman at Capital GMC Buick Cadillac. He spent 13 seasons with the Roughriders and has been heavily involved in the community as a player and an alumnus.
“How much Don has done for the community is why I want this to be successful,’’ Weinkauf said. “We’ve done numerous steak nights where he would show up with an autographed football, a picture or a signed jersey, and he wouldn’t even know the people.’’
The first fundraiser is a steak night on Feb. 18 at Cravings All Day Grill and Bellini’s Lounge, 1883 Victoria Avenue East. Tickets cost $25. There are sittings at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Weinkauf is looking for donations for a silent auction and for people to buy tickets.
She’s also organizing a March 17 cabaret at Mr. D’s Stats Cocktails and Dreams. Tickets cost $15.
Tickets for both fundraisers are available at Cravings/Bellini’s and Stats.
More information is available at facebook.com/mia.weinkauf.