Concert to benefit boy set to undergo brain surgery
The family of a Lakefield boy who will undergo brain surgery to remove a seizure-causing tumour from within his brain next month won’t be the only ones to benefit from a fundraising concert coming Sunday to the Historic Red Dog.
Performers on the set list will also gain, said show organizer and musician Michael, uncle of five-year-old Addison (Addi) Beauclerc.
“It feels like we’re helping the family, but we’re sort of helping ourselves, too, because we feel kind of helpless,” said the musician, who will play with three of the eight bands set to take the stage from 2 p.m. until closing time.
The lineup includes True Confessions, Ken Tizzard, Bridget Foley and the Gospel Girls, Canuck Rocks, Al Black and the Steady Band, Bailien with Terry Guiel, Broken Harmony and Michael Bell’s tribute, Bowie Lives.
The show will be eclectic, featuring rock, blues, gospel and folk musicians. “I think that represents Peterborough really well, that diversity of musical culture.”
The importance of having so much support cannot be understated, Michael added, pointing out that everyone he asked to take part said “yes.”
The surgery was also recently postponed two weeks, so the show will also provide a much-need spiritual lift.
“It’s huge emotionally to see so many people come together to help them,” he said.
The concert will raise money for hotels, fuel food and to cover work leave for the boy’s parents, for example. They are both fortunate to have jobs — Sara as a nurse and Adam with Peterborough Transit — where they will be able to take time off, Michael said.
Addison, the oldest of three siblings, has suffered daily seizures since he was three. The last thing the family wanted was for him to have surgery, but medications have had little or no effect in easing the severity of the episodes, Michael said.
Many of the drugs created debilitating side effects that have caused him to miss significant time from school. Although his seizures are not violent, they cause him to suddenly fall — which could be particularly dangerous if he is playing on playground equipment, for example.
If the Oct. 30 surgery is successful, Addison will be able to go to school and live a happy and normal life, Michael said, pointing out how his recovery will be long and difficult.
The family has drawn much strength from the boy, who recently learned how to throw a football, thanks to his uncle.
“He’s been really good about it … he’s a really strong little guy,” Michael said.
Entry to the concert will be pay-what-you-can at the door and donations will be collected throughout the show.
NOTES: The event will include a silent auction with items donated by Long & McQuade, Market Hall, Taylor’s Country Store, Zap Records, Fandango, Rocky Ridge.… Donate at www.helpingaddi.ca or www.paypal.me/AddisonBeauclerc.