The likes of Tom Petty, Stevie Nicks and Pat Benatar will come together on stage in Sechelt March 28 to play a benefit concert for Rose Schwarz, the young Sechelt woman who has been battling Lyme disease.
Although the Lyme disease now appears to be cured, Schwarz has suffered lasting effects including having her stomach removed, which requires her to tube feed for nourishment.
Her family is now fundraising to get Schwarz on a tube feeding diet of Liquid Hope, an organic feeding formula from the United States that is not yet covered by Health Canada.
“It consists of all organic whole foods without any sugar and chemicals and so far she has been tolerating it well and her blood test results have started to improve,” said father Gary Gilbert. “Our hope is to fundraise enough money to keep this formula going for a fair trial and if she shows more signs of improvement, we will approach the Ministry [of Health] armed with a letter from her doctor and her dietician in hopes they will cover the cost of this new formula instead of the one she’s on.”
The Liquid Hope formula is currently costing the family $1,300 a month.
In an effort to help, tribute bands Totally Tom Petty and The Women of Rock will come to the Coast to play a benefit concert at the Sechelt Legion on March 28 from 8 p.m. to midnight.
Lead vocalist and guitarist Phil Dunget will transform into the likes of Tom Petty while the amazing Linda Maze will present herself as women rockers Chrissie Hynde of The Pretenders, Stevie Nicks and Pat Benatar throughout the night.
Maze is an incredibly versatile vocalist and instrumentalist who does her muses justice and Dunget is a dynamic showman who holds an uncanny likeness to Petty.
The duo will perform some of rock ‘n’ roll’s biggest hits with the help of their band. Tickets are selling fast for the one of a kind performance, available for $25 at the Legion.
Schwarz plans to be on hand if she is well enough, but in the event she can’t come, she thanks everyone in advance for their support.
Donations to the fundraising effort can also be made at any Sunshine Coast Credit Union to The Rose Fund, or with Paypal to [email protected].
“Our family is continually grateful for your prayers, well-wishes and donations,” Gilbert said. “Rose is trying so hard to turn the corner on all of this, and with your help, we think we can do it.”
