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Fundraiser Set For Teen Fighting Cancer, Deadly Fungus

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By SHERRI ACKERMAN

sackerman@tampatrib.com

Published: November 7, 2008

TAMPA - When Marlene Brewer heard about Carli Stack, the Plant High School teen who contracted a deadly fungus while battling leukemia, the former oncology nurse wanted to help.

Brewer, a clinic manager for USF Physicians Group, is organizing a dinner and silent auction that has brought some heavy hitters to the table, including Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Earnest Graham. The event is scheduled for Dec. 1 at Plant High.

Graham's foundation, Earnest Giving, has offered to donate items for the silent auction, Brewer said.

Auction items will include tickets to football games and a "day in the life" with local notables who will allow students to shadow them during their workday.

Restaurants, including Wright's Gourmet Cafe and Pei Wei Asian Diner, where Slack worked this summer, will provide food, Brewer said.

Her goal is to bring at least 500 people together to raise money for Slack, a junior at Plant who was diagnosed with cancer in July.

Slack, 16, underwent treatment and was in remission when she contracted a fungus her doctors described as mucormycosis, said her parents, Kevin and Edith.

Doctors predicted Slack would die three weeks ago, but she has beaten the odds and continues to show small improvements, her dad said.

WANT TO HELP?

For information about the event or to volunteer, call Marlene Brewer at (813) 334-4112 or 1Voice Foundation at (813) 868-1999, or visit www.1voicefoundation.org.

Reporter Sherri Ackerman can be reached at (813) 259-7144.

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