Brunch event to raise money for employees with family members battling cancer
The employees of the Best Western on Western Avenue are holding a benefit for two employees whose family members are battling cancer.
The benefit will take place on Sunday, March 21, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the hotel’s 1228 Grill Restaurant. It will be in the form of a brunch, complete with pancakes, sausage, eggs, potatoes, muffins, scones, cereal, oatmeal, coffee, teas and juices, and it will be open to anyone who is willing to make a donation to the families.
Flow Fruehwirth, a bartender at the hotel, has been supporting her husband during his battle with Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a cancer that originates in the white blood cells.
Ariana Ramos, a server at the hotel, has taken a leave of absence in order to care for her infant daughter who was recently diagnosed with a rhabdoid tumor, a rare, highly malignant tumor that occurs in children.
Both families are dealing with hospital issues. Flow’s husband is actually back in the hospital for the third week in a row now, said Carol Robinson, an employee at the hotel.
Robinson said Ramos had to take a leave of absence to be with her daughter, who is being treated at The Children’s Hospital in Buffalo.
Marshal Morgan, the hotel’s restaurant supervisor, and the organizer of the event, said that he was motivated to help the two families because of his own family’s struggle with the disease.
`When I was younger, my sister was diagnosed with cancer,` said Morgan. `We had a close friend throw a benefit ` kind of like what we are doing here ` for my family.`
Morgan said it was not only the money from the benefit that made a difference.
`It’s not just the financial help but the support of physically having people there to support you,` he said.
He said that by organizing the benefit he is taking the kindness people extended to his family, and `paying it forward.`
The staff of the hotel is doing its part to help Morgan pay it forward.
`All of the kitchen staff, and all of the servers will be volunteering their time for the event,` said Morgan.
According to Morgan, another goal of the benefit will be to raise awareness about cancer, and the staff will provide cancer awareness materials to people who attend.
`The management of the property is humbled and inspired by the selflessness of the employees and how they look out for each other,` said Monsoor Mustafa, the general manager of the hotel.
So far, the event has about 50 confirmed guests; however, Morgan said he also expects other supporters to show up as well.
Those who would like to donate, but cannot attend the event, can send donations to the Best Western Sovereign Hotel, 1228 Western Ave., Albany, NY 12203.
For more information contact Carol Robinson at 489-2981.
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