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Benefit to be held for single mother battling brain cancer

Alisha Zuck, a single mother from Lakewood is in the midst of her battle with brain cancer. Zuck is pictured with her daughter, Zara, age 10. A benefit is set to be held to help with their current financial burden at the end of the month.

LAKEWOOD — Members of the Lakewood community are banding together to help support a local woman who is in the midst of her battle with brain cancer.

Alisha Zuck, who was diagnosed with brain cancer over the summer and underwent surgery for it back in September, is also a single mother of a 10 year old. A spaghetti dinner benefit for Zuck is set for Nov 30 at the Lakewood Fireman’s Grounds, 116 Pleasantview Avenue, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. There is a large Green sign on Summit Avenue between the Lakewood Rod and Gun and downtown Lakewood to show where the Fireman’s Grounds are. The benefit will also include a Chinese Auction, music from DJ Matthew Ekstrom, a 50/50 drawing, bake sale, and more.

Pre-sale tickets for the Spaghetti Dinner are $10, and available at, Luv Toyota Service Desk, 215 East Fairmount Avenue, Lakewood, Jamestown Honda Service Desk, 207 East Fairmount Avenue, Lakewood, or Luv Kia Service Desk, 1700 Washington St, Jamestown. There is also a to-go option for the dinner.

One of the event organizers, Sarah Halberg, said Zuck is currently undergoing chemotherapy and faces weeks out of work, adding to her financial burden.

“She also grew up with a brother who had a lot of heart issues,” Halberg said. “They said he would not live past five years old, but lived a lot longer than that into adulthood and just passed away three years ago. She also works at Luv Toyota, and I don’t know the full prognosis but I know after the last MRI after the surgery she was told it looks good, but they don’t know if it could grow back.”

Halberg said for the benefit they are still looking for donations and volunteers to donate items for the Chinese Auction, or to volunteer to help at the benefit with food or the set up. Donations that are accepted include gift cards, gift baskets, baked goods, dinner ingredients, and event supplies.

Included in the live auction part of the event are big items such as four Buffalo Bills tickets, four Sabres Box Seats, four cast iron fire pits from Jamestown Advanced Products, and gourmet pies and cheesecakes. In the Chinese Auction there are over 50 items available to win, including; golf passes for two different courses, Comedy Center passes, health and training memberships, two Seneca Casino overnight stays with meal vouchers, handmade quilts and blankets, restaurant gift certificates, and themed baskets with themes like salon, hunting, food, kitchen, children’s items and more. All proceeds from the event go towards Zuck and her recovery.

“Alisha is a local, hardworking, single mom, and our community likes to help support people who are down on their luck,” Halberg said. “People should come to help a single mother who is just trying to be a productive member of the working society.”

Halberg added that Zuck spent her time growing up doing everything she could to help her brother with his health issues, and that having two of her three children now having health issues is also hard on Zuck’s mother.

“We have a lot of volunteers already and are getting good support,” Halberg said. “It’s a great way during this time of the year to help someone in need. Your participation — whether by attending, donating, or simply spreading the word — will make a real difference for Alisha and her family. Let’s come together to ease this burden and show her she’s not alone in this fight.”

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