Event will benefit youngster

BY PATRICIA YOCZIS Correspondent

Last November, Candace Widner, 3, of Howell, was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma, a fast-growing, malignant childhood cancer that caused tumors to grow behind her nose, on her cheek and in the back of her skull.

To assist her parents, Maggie and AndrewWidner, with the financial burden of the disease, including out-of-pocket medical costs, travel and living expenses, a Crazy for Candace benefit dinner will be held at T.G.I. Friday’s, Route 9 north (at Union Hill Road),Marlboro, from5-9 p.m. April 10.

“All you have to do is mention that you are there for the Crazy for Candace event and the server will record that information,” said Kathy Suchcicki, Candace’smaternal grandmother. “The total of the checks of the diners who mention the event will be added, and in a few days, the family will receive a check for 20 percent of the sales of the meals.”

Suchcicki, who resides in Howell with her husband, Ben, said Candace is a happy child and a joy to her family. In December, Candace had a tennis ball-sized tumor behind her nose removed. She is currently undergoing 43 weekly treatments of radiation that will end in October.

In March, Candace and her parents, who also have a 16-month-old son, Mathew, went to Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, where the youngster was scheduled to undergo five weeks of intensive radiation to shrink the tumors in her skull and cheek.

Suchcicki said her daughter’s employer, Brandywine Assisted Living, Mount Laurel, has allowed her to work a lot from home and to be with Candace. Her son-in law, who is currently unemployed, will continue a job search when the family returns from Boston.

“People have been phenomenal,” said Suchcicki. “I thank everyone for their generosity and concern. All of this is happening for a reason. We are coping and praying for continued successful treatments.”

According to Suchcicki, another Crazy for Candace event, a luncheon to be held at the Southard firehouse in Howell on April 20, is already sold out. She saidmore than 200 people bought tickets for the event, which will include a gift auction, music, entertainers for children and food.

“We did not have room for everyone who wanted to come,” said Suchcicki. “People are wonderful.”

She is especially grateful to the coordinators of the Crazy for Candace events, Melissa Ryan, of Howell, a friend of her daughter’s, and Rita Boden, of Neptune, a co-worker at Cooper-Electric, Tinton Falls.

“We will do other events down the road,” Boden said. “Perhaps another luncheon and we have a blood drive tentatively set for July.”

For information about future events contact Rita Boden at (732) 233-4385.

To make a monetary donation, make checks payable to the Candace Widner Benefit Fund and send to Kathy Suchcicki, 358 Casino Drive, Farmingdale, NJ 07727.