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Fundraiser Set For Mom With Cancer

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By MEGAN HUSSEY

Tribune correspondent

Published: October 11, 2008

LAND O' LAKES - Through the years, Shady Hills resident Sheri Nelson has established a reputation as a caregiver. This mother of six children worked until recently as a nurse at Tampa General Hospital, has been active in projects and ministries involving home schooling and special needs children, and recently nursed her mother Mary Louise Goulden through her recent bout with ovarian cancer.

"She's a fun, loving person always ready to do for somebody else," said friend Dolores Deckard.

Now the community is coming together to repay the favor. Nelson, who is battling brain cancer, will be the beneficiary of an Oct. 18 benefit at Hungry Harry's Famous Bar-B-Que, 31501 Land O' Lakes Blvd., Land O' Lakes.

The Nelson Family Fun Day will run from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The ticket price of $12 for adults and $8 for children includes barbeque, chicken and pork along with hot dogs. Drinks will be included.

Fun activities for children will include a petting zoo, clowns, inflatable jumpers, face painting and balloon sculptures along with treats of snow cones and popcorn.

Adults will enjoy a silent auction, prize walk and bake sale. Lisa Potvin is organizing the bake sale.

"Some performers from Creative Arts Theatre will be there to offer singing and juggling," said Deckard.

All proceeds will help cover medical bills for Nelson, 44, who plans to attend.

According to Deckard, the fun spirit of the event reflects that of its beneficiary.

"Even now, she's laughing and joking with her doctors," she said. "A family fun day is the perfect benefit for her."

Lynette Hefley agrees. She is a breast cancer survivor and cancer support volunteer who is handling publicity for the benefit.

"Cancer patients need our support, not only medical but spiritual and emotional," she said. "This lady is such a fighter and she needs our prayers and love."

It's been a trying year for Nelson, who about four months ago underwent a mastectomy and hysterectomy as treatment for stage two breast cancer. Thought to be on the road to recovery, Nelson started to experience severe headaches. It was soon determined that her cancer cells had spread to her brain.

Nelson now undergoes radiation treatments and takes medication. Currently unable to work, she recently had to resign her position at Tampa General Hospital. Previously home-schooled, her children Patience, 16; Caleb, 14; Noah, 11; and Luke, 8, now attend Land O' Lakes Christian School. She also has two older sons, Kyle, 21, and Aaron, 22.

Deckard credits daughter Dana Goldsborough, friend Michelle Gould and many others with helping to organize the fundraiser. Also, members of Idlewild Baptist Church, which Nelson attends, and other community members helped the family in various ways. And, Deckard said, Nelson would happily do the same for them. "Even now she tries to stay involved, to do for others."

NELSON FAMILY FUN DAY BENEFIT

SOME BACKGROUND: The Nelson Family Fun Day Benefit will be celebrated 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 18, at Hungry Harry's Famous Bar-B-Que, 31501 Land O' Lakes Blvd. (½ mile north of State Road 54; enter at north entrance).

COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTIONS: This event will benefit Sheri Nelson, a Shady Hills resident who has brain cancer.

A LITTLE HISTORY: Nelson, a nurse and community volunteer, is the wife of Larry Nelson, owner of Rainbow Pools.

GET INVOLVED: Tickets for the Nelson Family Fun Day sell for a donation of $12 for adults, $8 for children. Tickets can be purchased at Cornerstone Air Conditioning and Heating Inc., 2922 Land O' Lakes Blvd., Land O' Lakes, which is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information call Cornerstone at 813-949-4445 or toll free at 1-866-949-4445 or visit www.cornerstoneairfla.com. Tickets also will be available at the door.

In addition, a trust fund for Sheri Nelson has been established at SunTrust Bank; those interested in contributing can visit any SunTrust Bank and make out a check to the Sheri Nelson Benefit Trust Fund.

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