LOCAL MUSICIANS COME TOGETHER TO RAISE FUNDS.THERE WILL BE A FULL BUFFET SPONSORED BY BIG RIVER. ITEMS TO BE RAFFLED OFF INCLUDE DINNERS FROM BIG RIVER, BLUE WATER GRILLE, JET STREAM GRILL, MY FAMILY DINNERS AND MORE. MUSIC WILL BE PROVIDED BY KENNON OWNSBY, BRAD PASSONS, SEX HEAD LOOSEY, K.O. AND THE KNOCKOUTS, JOHNATHAN WHIMPY AND MORE.

This is a benefit on January 21st, 2009 at Rhythm & Brews in Chattanooga, TN to help raise funds for our dear friend, Suzy Kay. Many of you may know her as she used to work as a server at Big River Grill in downtown Chattanooga. There is an immediate need for funds to aid with medical expenses as well as daily living expenses. The expenses are quickly adding up but, we're going to do all we can to help out.

Here's her story...

In October of 2006, as a self-employed single mother of two (Victoria, 19 & Matthew, 14), Suzy was 1st diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer. After one round of chemotherapy, Suzy required surgery. The surgery was successful to an extent…Suzy required further treatments. She went through another round of chemotherapy and later 40 radiation treatments. At this point, Suzy was making excellent progress and as of a PET scan in December of 2007, the cancer was gone.

In the fall of 2008, Suzy decided to go back to college and worked on getting into the Ultrasound/Radiology program at Chattanooga State. By the end of the semester, Suzy began having trouble with her vision, which led to a MRI. The scan showed metastasis to her brain, which resulted in eleven tumors in all lobes of the brain as well as her brain stem resulting in pressure on the optic nerve. The new tumors are inoperable and Suzy began radiation treatments again on December 23rd, 2008. We are praying that the radiation treatments will shrink the tumors.

At the time of her initial diagnosis, Suzy did have insurance. The insurance, unfortunately, was insufficient. It did not cover oncology. Suzy made the choice to file for breast & cervical cancer Medicaid. After three attempts, she had to drop her private insurance to obtain the Medicaid she needed to cover her medical needs. Right now, Suzy is covered by Medicaid but, has many additional expenses due to the additional treatments she is on in conjunction with the radiation treatments.

Right now, the only option is radiation and after that, Suzy is out of options. Surgery isn't an option because of the number and location of the tumors. Chemotherapy isn't an option either because of a type of barrier around the brain that won't allow the chemo to react to the cancer.

Info via myspace.com/4theloveofsuzy.