As we inch closer to the end of 2022 and the holidays are upon us, I’ve decided to do one final push for donations to our PanCan.org fundraiser in honor of Benjamin’s 75th birthday. I’ll be doing a Benjamin Bonanza of Giveways — 10 in all — starting today, November 23, through December 10, when the final winners will be drawn. Prizes consist of anything from stickers to books to t-shirts, and are posted in no particular order.
🚗 Each drawing will be open for about 48 hours. I will do my best to draw and announce winners right at 12:00 P.S.T., but I reserve the right to do it a little later if I can’t get to it. However, the drawings will still close at 12:00 P.S.T. on their scheduled date.
As we know, Benjamin Orr died of pancreatic cancer on October 3, 2000, less than six months after his diagnosis. He was a father, fiancé, friend, rock star. He was only 53 years old. It is in tribute to him that we are raising awareness and funds for PanCan.org, a non-profit organization that strives to improve the lives of everyone impacted by pancreatic cancer by advancing scientific research, advocating for patients, providing patient and caregiver support, and facilitating community outreach programs.
So far we have raised $3,280, which is 43% of our original $7,500 goal. When we have reached $3,750 in donations, I will post 5 VERY gorgeous, never-before-published photos of Benjamin from 1984. They were taken by photographer Julian David Stone, who generously dove into his stash to donate the images for our worthy cause.
If we reach the $5,000 mark by the end of the year (December 31, 2022, before midnight), I will publish footage of Benjamin — well, Benny Eleven Letters! — playing with The Grasshoppers, circa 1965. How exciting is that? (The photo on the left is from that time period but is not from the video. Photo credit unknown.)
While it’s so fun for me to share bits from Ben’s history and to give things away, I don’t want us to entirely lose focus on the reason why we’ve chosen PanCan.org: giving even the smallest bit gets us closer to a cure and helps patients and families cope with a devastating diagnosis. Please consider where you can carve a contribution out of your holiday budget. It is so very appreciated!
For international donations from outside of North America, please call PanCan at (310) 725-0025 weekdays between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. PST and their Customer Service team will be happy to help you! (If you call after hours or on the weekend, you will need to leave a message and they will return your call on the following business day to assist you.) I am also available if you’d like to send money to me via Western Union and I can donate it here in the States. Email me at onlydjn@yahoo.com to make those arrangements.
sweetpurplejune 
Brilliant work Donna, just a bit disappointed you didn’t get the figure for which you aimed. Even a very tiny donation by all the “Ben people/groups” would have made the difference I am sure. Anyway, once again, marvellous effort. xx
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I would have loved for each fan to give even $5 — it would have added up so fast! But I know everyone is carrying so much that we don’t see, and I like to believe that we are all doing our best to shine some light in our own corner of the world. We’re at nearly $4,000, and that money will make such a difference! I’ am grateful for every donation. ❤
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Dear Donna, thank you so much for your continuous action for the memory of Ben.
As I am living in Japan, to join you is bit hard.
So, forgive me no donation but just sending you a much appreciation from the bottom of my heart.
Recently, in Japan, an classic movie “ Melody” was screening and some event to celebrate it’s 50th anniversary.
Mark Lester and Tracy Hyde came to Japan, although they have already retired from actor/actress career and living a very normal life respectively.
In the movie “ Melody”, they were 11 years old-lovely children, and now they grew up and are older enough, still healthy&beautiful.
For one of the events, they came to the very small theater( 30 seats only) and after the movie, some talk, Q&A, and photo session, then, to my surprise, we had a dinner party at a small local Indian restaurant.
Many fans, including me, also grew old enough, were almost crying to meet Mark and Tracy again, to talk and cheers with them after a half of century.
Especially, I could not help remembering and thinking of Ben…
Ben, if Ben is still alive
Whatever he does, only if he is alive now…
He may be a grand farther, playing a baseball, taking a walk with his dogs, enjoying BBQ & drinking beer, or is he still singing?
Sincerely yours,
(I’m sorry for my English; might be somehow strange or wrong)
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Greetings from the US! Thank you for your support of the fundraiser and for reading the blog.
That’s a wonderful story about Mark and Tracy. I love that they came and spent time with the fans. Actors and musicians can play such an important role in our lives, can’t they?
I like to think Ben would still be playing music with the members of Big People, and that he would be happily married to Julie. Yes, walking his dogs, eating BBQ and playing baseball! Wouldn’t that be great? Such a shame that his life was cut short. ❤
(Thank you for commenting. Your English was just fine!)
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