Breast Cancer Awareness Weekend Raises over $4,000

from Lovin Heart

The 13th Annual Breast Cancer Awareness Weekend was held at The Zone Dance Club, 133 W 18th St, Erie PA, October 12th-14th. What started as Michelle Micheals' idea to bring together the local drag community to raise money for a cause near and dear to her heart has since grown into an entire weekend of raising funds. Michelle Micheals mother Gracie is a 18 year survivor of stage 4 breast cancer has always been her biggest supporter and is the inspiration for the weekend. Over the years of doing this event it has grown thanks to the overwhelming support of Erie LGBT+ community, the dance community many other supporters of the cause.

This weekend is not possible with out the help of many and the vision and dedication of Michelle Micheals. A very special thanks to The Zone owners Bob and Lou, the staff Tony, Glenn, Brittany,Brian, Sean and Dennis as well as Josh, Marty, Alex, Jimbo, Erick and Brenda for their hard work all weekend.

This year included over 40 baskets from the following group or people Chris Temple, Grace Watson, Sandy Hodas, Brenda Dugan, Elaine Crandall, Denise Kubiak, Brenda Crolli, Denise Kubiak, Dale Allgeier, Robert Eckendorf, Anelle Dugan, Nancy Krumpe, Erie Gay News, Matthew Blake Steger, Glenn David Meyer, Sean Weary, NW PA Pride Alliance, Rose Palombi, Jennifer Wilson, Tiffany Sheffield, Kristen Baxter Glass and Schafer family.

The weekend included massive 3 day bake sale. Thanks to Sherry Edkin, Grace Watson, Susan Conner, Brenda Crolli, Sherry Grace and Sarah Burnside for supplying delicious baked goods.

The weekend ended with a fabulous drag show that included Phenomenal performance from Misty Micheal Kall, Lovin Heart, Alysin Wonderland, King Maximo, Soren Hellfire, Taylor Morgan, Marilyn Tennii and was capped of with a Moving performance of Fight Song by Erie's Drag Icon and organizer of the event Michelle Micheals. All tips were donated and are included in the event total. Special thank your Season The stage manager and Marty our sound and lighting coordinator who also donated their time to help put on the show.

Other cash donations include Little Dance Studio, Pat Matson and family, Stacy Glass, Jill Vollmer and Tom Harris from Possibilities. Linda Jones donated a handle made quilt for raffle.

This year weekend raised $4,082. This includes $2,697 from the weekend activities, $385 from the quit raffle and $1,000 from Sam's Club. All proceeds will be donated to StringsforaCURE.

Over the past 6 years that StinggsforaCURE has been the donation recipient Michelle Micheals and the community has raised a total of $19,474. For more information, visit www.stringsforacure.org.

Michelle and company are already at work planning the 14th Annual Breast Cancer Awareness Weekend and the Zone to be held in October 2019.