Birthday drive-by event scheduled for Shaler Area board member battling cancer
A 50th birthday drive-by celebration for a Shaler Area School Board member will double as a fundraiser to help her fight medical expenses.
District residents are invited to partake in the parade from noon to 3 p.m. on Saturday for board member Suzanna Donahue, who is battling cholangiocarcinoma, or bile duct cancer.
The “Birthday Beep and Eat” will be at Burchfield Primary School, 1500 Burchfield Road, and will be complete with the high school band’s drum line and cheerleaders to help celebrate.
“It is overwhelming and humbling,” said Donahue, a mother of three and a member of the school board for seven years.
“This community is incredible in its support of other community members. They always rally behind those in need.”
Friend Amy Benninger envisions the festivity with a line of more than 400 cars. She hopes for balloons and cards and well-wishes for Donahue, who first battled liver disease in 2017 and received a transplant from her husband, Scott, before doctors discovered cancer had spread to her lymph nodes and lungs.
“The liver transplant has been successful but overshadowed by the awful news of having cancer,” Benninger said. “Her treatment plan is forthcoming as we wait for approval from her health insurance.”
A suggested $10 donation will earn a free large pizza voucher from a Pasquale’s Pizzeria and cupcakes for everyone in the vehicle.
Donations will be accepted with cash, Venmo @DonahueFund and PayPal at donahuefund@gmail.com. Proceeds will be deposited into the Donahue Fund at First National Bank.
Friend Eileen Phillips said the majority of donations will help with medical costs but some will go toward a much-needed family vacation.
“She does so much for everyone else, whether she’s a PTO member and helping with the school functions or as a Shaler Area School Board member offering her ideas and support to the teachers and staff,” Benninger said.
“I didn’t hesitate to do this event, as I knew the people in this community would come together and help. And that’s exactly what happened.”
Participants are asked to wear masks and social distance.
Tawnya Panizzi is a TribLive reporter. She joined the Trib in 1997. She can be reached at tpanizzi@triblive.com.
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