A night of music and hope with Tom Hamilton and the SPX Band at the Cottage Bar September 27

Posted on 11. Jul, 2024 by in News

WEYMOUTH (September 27, 2024) — Community members, survivors and thrivers, supporters and music lovers will gather at the Cottage Bar in Weymouth on Friday, September 27 at 8 p.m. to sing, dance, have fun, and help support education and awareness about a rare form of breast cancer called inflammatory breast cancer.

Weymouth’s Tom Hamilton and his outstanding, popular band SPX will perform for the evening and donate their talents to help support Inflammatory Breast Cancer New England Region, a nonprofit 501( c) 3 charitable organization dedicated to supporting education and awareness about IBC.

Each year, thousands of women are diagnosed with IBC, which represents from 1% to 6% of all breast cancer cases. The disease however, can be aggressive. Its symptoms are atypical and do not usually present with a lump. Symptoms appear rapidly and include a red rash, swelling and skin changes. IBC is diagnosed more often in younger women, under the age of 45. IBC is misunderstood and very little research has been done on this disease.

Many people have never heard of IBC and are not aware of what to look for.

Medical providers, researchers, survivors and their families and friends are working to change that.

IBC New England, founded by 24-year IBC survivor Sue Asci, produces educational materials and supports a website which serves as a network for resources for patients and caregivers to find information and support services.

Working with Rep. Sean Garballey of Arlington, we advocated for passage of a permanent IBC Awareness Day in Massachusetts. Rep. Garballey led the charge at the State House and the bill became law in 2023.

Governor Charlie Baker signed into law a provision that permanently sets aside the second Tuesday of October as a day to educate and build awareness about IBC. Massachusetts is one of only a few states that have a permanent Inflammatory Breast Cancer Awareness Day.

IBC New England also supports educational tables at events, public speaking opportunities, and other events such as programs featuring researchers discussing clinical trials and developments that may further the understanding of IBC.

Join us for an evening of fun, music, and hope. Consider making a donation of a gift certificate or other prize for our raffle table. We plan to have a series of baskets to raffle as well as some silent auction items. The fun begins at 8 p.m. at the Cottage Bar, 26 Union St., Weymouth.

For more information, contact Sue Asci at 781-447-0848