Charity event raises $20,000 for cancer-strickenlocal filmmaker Aaron Wells
Aaron's Cure Cancer Benefit Performance, held June 14 at the Maltz Jupiter Theatre, raised $20,000 for cancer-stricken, local independent filmmaker Aaron Wells, who was diagnosed with stage 3 throat cancer in April.
The event featured Broadway veteran Avery Sommers, local singer/songwriter Cooper Getschal and members of the Burt Reynolds Institute for Film and Theatre (B.R.I.F.T.) Youth Guild Program. Legendary actor/director Burt Reynolds also made an appearance.
"The benefit was important not only in raising funds, but also to let Aaron know how much we all care. I hope the benefit was the just the beginning for the ongoing support Aaron will need going forward," noted Burt Reynolds.
Suzanne Niedland, a close friend of Wells and board chairman of B.R.I.F.T., produced the event along with Laurie Korkes and Scott Wagmeister. She also emceed the show and hosted the raffle drawings, which featured restaurant and wine packages, vacation getaways, theatre tickets, spa services and more.
Sponsors of the event included the Maltz Jupiter Theatre, B.R.I.F.T., and the Palm Beach Cancer Institute. Raffle prizes, auction items and other donations that made the event possible were contributed by Bimini Twist, Brown's Interior Design, Café Chardonnay, Coola Fishbar, EmbroidMe of North Palm Beach, D. Ann Serices, Four Seasons Resort of Palm Beach, Ink Addiciton, Jetty's, Jupiter Beach Resort, Kee Grill, The Maltz Jupiter Theater, The Pampered Pup, Park Limousine, Saks Fifth Avenue, SeaTrek BVI, Spoto's Oyster Bar, Taboo, and TruGlo Medspa.
"I am very humbled by the generous support of my family, friends and the community," said Aaron Wells. "Without their assistance, continued chemo and radiation would not be possible."
Well's insurance does not cover radiation or chemotherapy, and cost of both treatments is estimated at more than $100,000. Friends of Wells have established an Aaron Wells Assistance Fund; contributions to the fund can be made at any Wachovia Bank or by PayPal to aaronmedicalfund@gmail.com. An eBay site (http://myworld.ebay.com/aaron_medical_fund) containing donated auction items such as boat dockage, trips and other products and services has also been established.
Additional fundraisers for Wells are planned. Ink Addition will host a charity Aaron Wells Day on August 1 in its Jupiter store. Future fundraising event dates and details will be posted at Aaron's Cancer Cure Benefit Bash(es) on Facebook.
Wells, an award winning veteran of the film, television, and video industries, has worked with Tristan Rogers, Bill Cosby, Bob Newhart and actor/director Burt Reynolds. His projects have garnered numerous national honors including Addy, Aegis, CINE Special Jury, CINE Gold Eagle, Communicator, Telly and vision awards. Wells is creating a documentary of his experience in hopes of helping others who are also in a similar situation and to bring awareness of the challenges in the U.S. healthcare system.
For more information or to make a donation, e-mail aaronmedicalfund@gmail.com.