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Community Corner

Playing for Potter: A Fundraiser for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society to honor local patient, Nov. 23

MADISON, Conn. – As the last of the autumn leaves are swept away and the crisp winter air blankets the Connecticut shoreline, Madison residents will gather to celebrate the life of cancer survivor Nicole Potter and raise funds for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) Connecticut Chapter. On Saturday, Nov. 23, Donahue’s Madison Beach Grille will host Playing for Potter, to help fund lifesaving blood cancer research around the world and provide free information and support services for leukemia patients and their families.

Potter, 23, of Madison, was diagnosed with acute promyelocytic leukemia in early Sept. 2013. She immediately was brought to Smilow Cancer Hospital at Yale New Haven where she underwent five weeks of oral chemotherapy in an isolated and germ-free room. Unable to accept flowers and sweet treats due to her weakening immune system, she received countless visits from friends, neighbors and family. By Oct. 10, she achieved remission. The former varsity soccer player for Daniel Hand High School and class of 2012 UConn alum, is now living at home with her parents as she continues to get stronger before returning to her job as a retirement services marketing consultant for Mass. Mutual Life Insurance in Enfield, Conn. Within the next five months, Potter will endure three more cycles of chemotherapy during which she will be admitted to the hospital for three to four days at a time.

Every four minutes, someone is diagnosed with leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease or myeloma. Every ten minutes, someone loses their battle with one of these diseases. Leukemia causes more deaths among children under the age of 20 than any other cancer. Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is the fifth most common cancer in the United States. Since its founding in 1949, LLS has invested almost $1 billion in leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma research. The organization also provides blood services to blood cancer patients in the Greater New Haven area and across the state.

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Playing for Potter will be held from 8:30 p.m. to 2 a.m. at Donahue’s Madison Beach Grille, located at 1320 Boston Post Road in Madison, Conn. Guests will enjoy live music performed by season 12 American Idol contestant Erin Christine Prestileo, her brother Scott Prestileo and The Grift, all Daniel Hand graduates. Surprise appearances to be announced. “The Nicole,” a discounted Blue Moon Ale, will be available for purchase at the bar in which 50 percent of the proceeds will go directly to benefit LLS. The event hopes to raise $10,000 for the cause in Potter’s honor.

Bring cash to help fill the pot for Potter at the door and enter to win raffle items donated by local businesses. To make an online donation, visit http://ct.support.llsevent.org/ng/index.cfm/ab2d98/regPages/pledge/PLAYINGFORPOTTER/. Contributions can also be made payable to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Connecticut Chapter and sent to Nicole Potter at 68 Dorset Lane, Madison, CT 06443. For more information, contact Allison Epstein by email at ahepstein203@gmail.com or call 203-915-8364.

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