DUNLAP, Tenn. — Magician Jeremy Burgin wanted to turn his professional debut into an opportunity to help his community, so he decided to bring a little magic to one of the Sequatchie County Cancer Support Network’s fundraisers.
“Before I started preparing for my first big stage show I thought, ‘I have to find a good charity to give the money to,’” the 19-year-old said in an interview at the auditorium of Sequatchie County High School. “What better way to start my career in stage magic?”
He said he admired the help the network gives to area cancer patients and their families and decided to donate the money from his show to the network.
“We have a lot of families in every area that are affected by cancer,” Mr. Burgin said. “It’s very costly just paying for gas to go to the hospital or going to get treatments and paying for (those) treatments, and (the network) helps out a lot of families with all those different costs.”
Organized in 2002 by Cora Cookston, who has battled cancer herself, the Sequatchie County Cancer Support Network raises money to help cancer patients with the financial strains that come with the illness.
“We provide financial aid to pay utility bills, house payments, gas for transportation. We’ve even provided for groceries. Anything to help the person financially,” said Dianne Mounce, board member of the network and marketing director at Citizens Tri-County Bank.
The Tennessee Department of Health tallied an average of 2,245 cancer cases a year in Sequatchie County from 2001 to 2005. They resulted in an average 111 deaths a year, health department figures show.
Anna Heard, vice president of the cancer network, said all of the money raised by the organization stays in Sequatchie County. “We never turn anyone down,” she said.
In 2007, the network assisted 30 people with $25,800. Some people were helped more than once, she said.
Through Sept. 30 this year, the network assisted 37 people with $38,450, Ms. Heard said.
Besides offering financial assistance, the network provides a sense of comfort, Mrs. Mounce said.
“In a community like ours everyone knows everyone and people are so closely connected that it’s a way to support them, not only with the money but to know that there’s people there for them. It’s kind of a family thing,” she said.
The network has several fundraiser through the year, but this is the first magic show, Mrs. Mounce said.
Next weekend the group will hold the second annual Sequatchie County High School Alumni Sofball/Baseball game in memory of Dr. Patricia Chastain, a member of the 1990 state championship softball team. Dr. Chastain lost her battle with breast cancer last weekend.
Mrs. Mounce emphasized the importance of regular health screenings.
“I think it’s important we continue to do things like this not only to help people financially, but to make people aware of the need to get their health screenings before an illness like cancer strikes,” she said.
Mr. Burgin said the public can expect a mix of material in his show, from classic stage magic to illusions and comedy magic.
Staff writer Ben Benton contributed to this article.
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Magic
Perla Trevizo joined the Chattanooga Times Free Press in 2007 and covers immigration/diversity issues and higher education. She holds a master’s degree in newswire journalism from Universidad Rey Juan Carlos in Madrid, Spain, and a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Texas. In 2011 she participated in the Bringing Home the World international reporting fellowship program sponsored by the International Center for Journalists, producing a series on Guatemalan immigrants for which she ...
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