Erica's Friends ready to throw a party to remember and support

Date: 9/1/2009

By Courtney Llewellyn

Reminder Assistant Editor



WILBRAHAM Adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) is a rare type of cancer that can exist in many different body sites. It most often occurs in the areas of the head and neck, in particular the salivary glands.

Wilbraham resident Erica Beauchamp fought ACC until her death at the age of 40 in the winter of 2006.

In order to preserve the memory of a woman who fought her battle with courage, determination and love, her friends and family decided to make a difference for others who were affected and Erica's Friends was formed.

Erica's Friends have hosted an annual fundraiser for the past three years - a three-mile walk at the Scantic Valley YMCA - and this year, they wanted to change it up a bit.

"We started the walks because we wanted to make [the fundraisers] a community thing, something so families could be involved," Maggie Brochu, chairperson of Erica's Friends, said. "It was great, especially when we delivered the check to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. We're the number one fundraisers for ACC, and knowing that keeps you coming back."

Erica's Friends have donated approximately $80,000 to the ACC research team at Dana-Farber over the past three years.

Brochu thanked all the sponsors that have helped the organization put on the fundraiser in the past.

This year, to help those fighting this rare disease, the organization will be hosting a benefit dinner at Paddy's Pub in Springfield. Included in the evening will be a buffet dinner, music by the Tom Ingram Band and live and silent auctions.

Auction items were donated by friends and family and some of the bigger items include weeklong vacations on Cape Cod in Provincetown and Barnstable, a vacation on an island off the coast of Puerto Rico, a ski weekend at Okemo, a sailboat ride and six Boston Red Sox tickets with a limousine ride to Fenway Park.

Tickets are still available for Erica's Friends Fourth Annual Fundraiser, which is taking place Sept. 12 starting at 6 p.m. Only 200 tickets are available, and Brochu said about 100 had been sold at press time. Tickets are $50 per person; checks made payable to Head and Neck Cancer Research in ACC can be mailed to Maggie Brochu, 17 Fairview Rd., Wilbraham, MA 01095.

"We didn't start this as a money maker," Brochu stated. "It is a day of remembrance for Erica. She always liked a good party.

"This is a very rare form of cancer and there's not a lot of funding for it," she continued. "We are raising awareness. This is a day to remember Erica and support her."

For more information, e-mail Brochu at margbro@charter.net. To donate an item to the auctions, contact Angela Mancinone at 330-5152.