Upcoming Fundraisers Help Head and Neck Cancer Patients

courage unmasked

Head and neck cancer affects 50,000 people in the United States every year. With symptoms such as sore throat, sinus infection and ear ache, many do not realize they have head or neck cancer and, although, head and neck cancer is common, the vast majority of the public are not aware of  this serious disease.

Courage Unmasked Tennessee, along with the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, hopes to change this through fundraising events.

“Courage Unmasked is a program that was originally developed by head and neck cancer survivors to help raise money for head and neck cancer patients in financial need.  In addition, the hope was to increase public awareness of the profound impact head and neck cancer has on patients, their loved ones and society at large.” (courageunmaskedtn.org).

Why ‘Courage Unmasked,’ you might ask. Head and neck cancer patients must undergo a process called simulation and planning before starting their radiation treatment. In order to do this, patients lay down on a radiation table and a plastic mold is made of their face and neck. This mold is fitted tightly and bolted to the table so that a Radiation Oncologist can get a clear CT scan to determine treatment.

Head and neck cancer patients donate their radiation masks to Courage Unmasked who gives them to an artist. The patient and artist can meet, allowing the artist to turn a radiation mask into a symbol of survival. These gorgeous masks are then auctioned off at Courage Unmasked events.

Two such fundraising events are coming up in September. First, on September 11th, head over to Gallery 202 (202 2nd Ave S) in Franklin to see a display of these wonderful masks. Then on September 27th, go to OZ (6172 Cockrill Bend) in Nashville for the main fundraising event.  The event will feature a cocktail buffet, open bar and live and silent auctions featuring these masks. Pam Tillis will host the event. Mike Wolf of American Pickers and Paul Polycarpou of Nashville Arts Magazine will lead the auction!

Purchase your tickets here: http://www.courageunmaskedtn.org/events.html