Local Cancer Victim Overwhelmed By Community Support
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
She hasn't asked for help from anyone other than God, but Leanne Coffman has been overwhelmed by support and caring since she learned she has cancer.
If the name is familiar, perhaps you've seen it on one of the many donation cans on business counters throughout the community. Coffman's mother came up with that idea.
And, because of those cans, Joey Hall of Dayton, Ohio, came up with the idea to perform a benefit concert to help defray Coffman's mounting medical bills. Coffman was diagnosed with Hodgkins disease in April.
Hall has never met the 32-year-old Coffman, but after reading about her and seeing the picture of her with her husband, Scott, and their five children on one of those cans, he felt compelled to do something for her. And, since he's lead singer in the band "Father, Son and Friends," he decided to sign the group up for two performances and not accept a dime for the work.
"It moved me how this family was getting hit," Hall said. "I read the can and thought somebody ought to do something to give them what might be their last Christmas together."
The band plays traditional Scottish and Irish folk music and will perform from 9 p.m. until midnight Friday and from 8 to 11 p.m. Saturday at The Blue Lion Coffee House in Pierceton. Cover charge is $5 per person, and the restaurant's dining area will be open as usual for other customers.
Hall is familiar with the establishment because of a friendship with owners Dave and Joanne Taylor. The Taylors are active in Back to the Days of Kosciuszko, during which "Father, Son and Friends" have performed.
"That is so sweet," Coffman said when told how the benefit came about. "I knew he was doing this, but I didn't know why ... Everybody is doing so much for me. I have just been so blessed."
A school teacher by day, Hall will head for Pierceton after classes conclude Friday. The four-hour drive will put him here about 6 p.m. to get set up in time for the 9 p.m. performance. He also plans to raffle off six CDs and six cassettes of the band's album and will conduct a 50/50 drawing, with all the money targeted for Coffman. A two-day engagement such as this would normally net the band $2,500.
Hall said he plays his music simply for the enjoyment of it, and doing this benefit lets him to do three things: play music with friends, visit with friends and raise money for a good cause.
Coffman hopes to be able to attend at least one of the performances "just to give (Hall) a big hug," she said.
Coffman explained that Hodgkins disease is a treatable and curable cancer. "I'm not in the dying end of it," she said. "I look good and I feel good." She added that 80 percent of Hodgkins patients survive five years and that, of those, 50 percent never get it again, while the other half suffer recurrence. "You tend to treasure every day," she said.
This is not the first benefit for Coffman, but she said that, like this one, none have been solicited.
"We're better off than some people," Coffman said. "We have food, clothing, utilities ... the kindness of strangers has been very encouraging. That is what carries you through this.
"I have thrown money in cans, but never thought to reach out of myself," Coffman said. "I hope at some point we can give back some of what's been given to us.
"It's not the money, it's the little things people do," she said. For example, she looked out her window one day to see a youth group from a different church than she attends raking leaves in her yard. Many people have approached her in grocery stores and other places, given her hugs and told her they were praying for her. Some have been total strangers.
Others, like the Taylors, are friends. "The Blue Lion has been like a second home to us since I've had cancer," Coffman said. "Mr. Taylor has insisted on kind of fattening me up."
Coffman may need fattening up on the outside, but on the inside she is full - of love for her family, friends, the community and God.
She does not view her misfortune as a tragedy, but as a way to reaffirm her faith: "Every time we have a need, God provides." [[In-content Ad]]
She hasn't asked for help from anyone other than God, but Leanne Coffman has been overwhelmed by support and caring since she learned she has cancer.
If the name is familiar, perhaps you've seen it on one of the many donation cans on business counters throughout the community. Coffman's mother came up with that idea.
And, because of those cans, Joey Hall of Dayton, Ohio, came up with the idea to perform a benefit concert to help defray Coffman's mounting medical bills. Coffman was diagnosed with Hodgkins disease in April.
Hall has never met the 32-year-old Coffman, but after reading about her and seeing the picture of her with her husband, Scott, and their five children on one of those cans, he felt compelled to do something for her. And, since he's lead singer in the band "Father, Son and Friends," he decided to sign the group up for two performances and not accept a dime for the work.
"It moved me how this family was getting hit," Hall said. "I read the can and thought somebody ought to do something to give them what might be their last Christmas together."
The band plays traditional Scottish and Irish folk music and will perform from 9 p.m. until midnight Friday and from 8 to 11 p.m. Saturday at The Blue Lion Coffee House in Pierceton. Cover charge is $5 per person, and the restaurant's dining area will be open as usual for other customers.
Hall is familiar with the establishment because of a friendship with owners Dave and Joanne Taylor. The Taylors are active in Back to the Days of Kosciuszko, during which "Father, Son and Friends" have performed.
"That is so sweet," Coffman said when told how the benefit came about. "I knew he was doing this, but I didn't know why ... Everybody is doing so much for me. I have just been so blessed."
A school teacher by day, Hall will head for Pierceton after classes conclude Friday. The four-hour drive will put him here about 6 p.m. to get set up in time for the 9 p.m. performance. He also plans to raffle off six CDs and six cassettes of the band's album and will conduct a 50/50 drawing, with all the money targeted for Coffman. A two-day engagement such as this would normally net the band $2,500.
Hall said he plays his music simply for the enjoyment of it, and doing this benefit lets him to do three things: play music with friends, visit with friends and raise money for a good cause.
Coffman hopes to be able to attend at least one of the performances "just to give (Hall) a big hug," she said.
Coffman explained that Hodgkins disease is a treatable and curable cancer. "I'm not in the dying end of it," she said. "I look good and I feel good." She added that 80 percent of Hodgkins patients survive five years and that, of those, 50 percent never get it again, while the other half suffer recurrence. "You tend to treasure every day," she said.
This is not the first benefit for Coffman, but she said that, like this one, none have been solicited.
"We're better off than some people," Coffman said. "We have food, clothing, utilities ... the kindness of strangers has been very encouraging. That is what carries you through this.
"I have thrown money in cans, but never thought to reach out of myself," Coffman said. "I hope at some point we can give back some of what's been given to us.
"It's not the money, it's the little things people do," she said. For example, she looked out her window one day to see a youth group from a different church than she attends raking leaves in her yard. Many people have approached her in grocery stores and other places, given her hugs and told her they were praying for her. Some have been total strangers.
Others, like the Taylors, are friends. "The Blue Lion has been like a second home to us since I've had cancer," Coffman said. "Mr. Taylor has insisted on kind of fattening me up."
Coffman may need fattening up on the outside, but on the inside she is full - of love for her family, friends, the community and God.
She does not view her misfortune as a tragedy, but as a way to reaffirm her faith: "Every time we have a need, God provides." [[In-content Ad]]