By John Chambless
Staff Writer

A fundraiser for breast cancer research will be held at Paradocx Vineyard in Landenberg on June 23 from 1 to 4 p.m., and a local woman directly affected by the disease is asking the community to help.

Lisa Auerbach, the wife of John T. Auerbach, has been diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer. Her father-in-law, John Auerbach, who is a Franklin Township supervisor, sent an email to the community last week, asking for support for the fundraiser.

Lisa Auerbach commented that “I already have more than 60 prizes that will be raffled off at the event, and am still getting more. These include gift baskets, merchandise, gift cards and more that have been donated by our local businesses and individuals. The generosity I have encountered has been truly overwhelming.”

Addressing her medical condition, Auerbach wrote in her message that “I am currently battling metastatic breast cancer, also known as Stage IV or advanced stage cancer. It is the spread of breast cancer to other parts of the body. Approximately 30 percent of breast cancer patients metastasize, with 97 to 98 percent of those patients dying as a result. The average survival time after diagnosis is two to three years.

“Despite 99 percent of all breast cancer deaths being caused by a metastasis, only 2 to 5 percent of all cancer research funds in the U.S. are dedicated to Stage IV cancer research,” Auerbach wrote. “I am doing what I can to bring attention and resources to an organization that is spearheading an effort to help. All proceeds from this event will be donated to the non-profit organization METAvivor Research and Support [www.metavivor.org]. METAvivor is dedicated to the specific fight of women and men living with Stage IV metastatic breast cancer. It is the only U.S. organization dedicated to awarding annual, peer-reviewed stage IV metastatic breast cancer research.”

Attendance at the June 23 event is free. Attendees buy tickets and put them into cans for prizes they want to win. Tickets are $1 each, and a package of 25 for $25 includes a free glass of wine or beer (or a non-alcoholic beverage). Food will be sold by Natalie's Fine Foods food truck.

There will also be a silent auction for signed jerseys from Alshon Jeffery of the Eagles and Claude Giroux of the Flyers. Local businesses offering prize packages so far include Acme Market in Avondale, restaurants including Anthony's Coal Fired Pizza, Grain, La Verona and Talula's Table, Advance Auto Parts, Blue Hen Car Wash, Dansko, Jeffcoats Automotive, K&T Automotive, Main Street Movies 5 in Newark, Newark Natural Foods, Pet Supplies Plus, Texture Salon in West Grove, Wegmans, and many more.

There is a webpage set up by Metavivor (https://secure.metavivor.org/page/contribute/LisaAuerbach) where visitors can donate directly to the cause or purchase raffle tickets in advance using a credit card. Sales at the event on June 23 are cash only. Attendees can show a receipt at the event for credit towards tickets. Paradocx Winery is at 1833 Flint Hill Rd., Landenberg.

To contact Staff Writer John Chambless, email [email protected].