Looking for something to do this weekend? Want to support a worthy cause? We received this press release for a benefit show at the Swiss Tavern. The details are below...

Several local bands have teamed up to organize a concert to benefit 9-year-old Maari Dickerson who was recently diagnosed with a rare form of cancer.  Treatment for Maari includes proton radiation therapy, which is available at only three locations in the United States.  Although the treatment has been used for more than 30 years, the Dickerson's insurance company has denied coverage, stating the procedure is experimental.  Maari is scheduled to begin treatment in late August in Loma Linda, CA.

In late June, Dave and Margie Dickerson took their daughter Maari to the doctor for what they initially thought was a sinus infection. After unsuccessful treatments of antibiotics and steroids, Maari was referred to an eye surgeon who ultimately diagnosed her with Rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare and aggressive form of cancer. Treatment for the tumor, which is located between Maari's right eye and her brain, involves a 40-week cycle of chemotherapy and a five-week session of proton therapy, which focuses a beam of protons at the diseased tissue. Maari may lose vision in her eye, but the doctors are optimistic that the course of treatment will successfully eradicate the cancer.

Maari's father, Dave, is a teacher and the Director of Choral Music at Curtis High School in University Place School District, as well as a talented local musician who plays with a number of bands.  He and Margie are also on the music and worship staff at Chapel Hill Presbyterian Church in Gig Harbor.  When Maari's diagnosis was announced, their colleagues and their families immediately came together to organize a concert and raffle.  Within days, the event had broadened to include both a live and silent auction.  "Our local band community is relatively small, and news of Maari's condition traveled fast," commented Tim Silke, an event organizer.  "We are overwhelmed by the generosity from those who know the Dickerson family and even more so by those who just want to pitch in and help this little girl get well."

The benefit event will be held on Sunday, August 12 from 3 p.m. to 12 a.m. at the Swiss Tavern, 1904 Jefferson Avenue in Tacoma (all ages are welcome until 9 p.m.).  A suggested donation of $10 per person/$25 per family will be collected at the door.  Raffle tickets will be sold for $5 each or five tickets for $20, and the live and silent auction will be conducted by Mike Stortini.  A full listing of available packages is available on the Friends of Maari website, www.maaridickerson.com.

The line-up for the evening includes:

3 - 4 p.m.               Billy Shew

4 - 5 p.m.               Northwest Chill

5 - 6 p.m.               Live auction

6 - 7 p.m.               Open unplugged acoustic set

7 - 8 p.m.               Nolan Garrett

8 - 9 p.m.               The Woodies

9 - 10 p.m.             The Bog Hoppers

10 - 11 p.m.           Big Wheel Stunt Show

Donations to the Dickerson family can also be made via PayPal at www.maaridickerson.com or by check to Columbia Bank, 1102 Broadway, Tacoma, WA 98402. Checks should be made payable to David Dickerson with "DONATION ACCOUNT" noted in the memo line.