Island fundraisers hope to ease hardships
BY STEVE SHEPPARD INDEPENDENT WRITER
Nantucket takes care of its own, and islanders are coming together once more to help two residents during difficult times.

Rachel Parrotto Budzynski, right, with her husband Paul and their daughter Isabella. "We've all learned to live with uncertainty," Rachel said of herself and her family. "Attitude's everything. It makes me really glad I live on Nantucket."

Fundraisers will be held at The Jetties next Wednesday evening, June 20, and at Bennett Hall and the Rose and Crown next Sunday, June 24, in support of John Billings and Rachel Parrotto Budzynski, each of whom is battling cancer.

For the many who Budzynski has helped in overcoming health problems of their own, her battle with stage four neuroendocrine carcinoid cancer has been difficult to comprehend. Budzynski started Nantucket Acupuncture in 2000.

"She's helped the island so much through her work, it's ironic that she needs help for a health issue," Virna Gonzalez, one of the many behind next Sunday's fundraiser said. "She's very skilled in what she does; she opened up a whole bunch of doors to me through alternative therapy."

John Billings

Budzynski recently turned 37 and has been forced to take a medical leave from her work; she was diagnosed in January with the rare type of cancer that may require some form of chemotherapy every year for the rest of her life. She is married to Paul Budzynski, a teacher at Nantucket Lighthouse School; they have a 2- year-old daughter, Isabella.

The aim of the fundraiser is to help the young family with living expenses and to defray transportation and lodging costs as she undergoes treatment at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute.

"We just had to do something to help her out," said Dr. Mindy Levin, who first rented office space to Budzynski when she began her acupuncture practice.

Budzynski says the island's response has buoyed her spirits. "That's the biggest part… I was diagnosed in late January and the outpouring

of love and support from the community has been huge," she said yesterday. "People have brought food, the Lighthouse School where my husband works arranges for food to be brought over a few times a week…." She said people have also helped with caring for Isabella, with yardwork, with gift cards to the supermarket, and with so much more.

"It's just incredible being part of the year-round community because people really do care," she said. "It's really helped because it's been really hard."

When asked if she plans on being at the June 24 fundraiser, her answer was a resounding, "Yes."

"We've all learned to live with uncertainty," she said of herself and her family. "Attitude's everything. It makes me really glad I live on Nantucket."

Levin said the response has been tremendous, from Rick Ulmer at the Rose and Crown to the many who donated auction and raffle items to those who have been quietly contributing money to the cause. Auction items up for bid include Red Sox tickets, commuter books, artwork and health-related services, such as chiro- practic treatments, polarity, massage and acupuncture.

As part of the fundraising effort, there will also be two shows at 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. at Bennett Hall on the afternoon of June 24 featuring Paul Carpenter, the metaphysical entertainer who has been featured in "Ripley's Believe It or Not." Gonzalez said Carpenter was moved to come to the island when she told him of Budzynski's plight. "I saw his performance in New York a couple of weeks ago and told him what we were doing," she said.

For more information on the fundraiser to help Budzynski and her family, visit www.mindseyeonline.com/rachel, or call Arlene O'Reilly at 508-221- 8803.

John Billings is known to many Nantucketers for his sense of humor and booming baritone. Now, the island rallies to his side.

Jeannette Garneau, who is one of several islanders helping to organize the June 20 fundraiser, said it is not unheard of for Billings to get everyone to sing-along. "He loves to sing," she says. "He would host Christmas parties where we'd all sing Karaoke."

Next Wednesday's benefit at The Jetties gets underway at 5 p.m. and features food, live music and auctioneer extaordinaire Bill Santos. Auction items include Patriots and Red Sox tickets, a stay in St. Martin, artwork by Louis Guarnaccia and dining packages at some of Nantucket's finest restaurants.

The proceeds will help Billings as he undergoes a second round of surgery after already enduring chemotherapy and radiation.

Garneau says islanders have been extremely generous, including Marshall Thompson at The Jetties and the many who have known John since his days working at the Atlantic Café. "There's a whole gaggle of people from that era who have remained friends" and are expected to be at the benefit, she said. Former Atlantic Café chef Annie Quatrano, who is now chef/owner of the renowned Bacchanalia, Floataway Café and Star Provisions restaurants in Atlanta, will be one of many returning from all over the country to lend support and join in the festivities.

Tickets are $25 and are available the night of the fundraiser, or beforehand at The Jetties, Even Keel or Rose and Crown.

For more information about this

benefit, call 325-0048. I