‘Photo For a Cause’ Cancer Fundraiser Held at NECC Oct. 20-21

Community Spotlight is heard quarter past every hour on 97.9 WHAV. Greater Haverhill non-profit organizations are invited to submit news of events, fundraising appeals and other community calendar announcements. Click to use the Submit News Tip form to submit your information.

Northern Essex Community College’s Hartleb Technology Center will play host to a cancer fundraiser and silent auction Oct. 20-21 thanks to NECC arts student Priscilla Westaway. The brainchild of photography buff Westaway, herself a breast cancer patient, the “Photo for a Cause” event will feature a display of more than 100 photographs taken by NECC photography students, staff, faculty and community members.

At the request of Methuen-based Westaway, all funds raised during the event will go to local cancer patients. “I’m being very specific in my earmarking that it’s for patients in the Merrimack Valley and North Shore and how the money is to be spent: bill pay, groceries, transportation,” she told WHAV. “Some people cancel their chemo treatments because they have no way to get there, or they don’t have gas money. [Basic] necessities that we all take for granted.”

Westaway plans to share one-quarter of the donations with her personal oncologist, Dr. Corinne Zarwin, to use at her discretion.

“In hearing these stories, you kind of say, ‘I am very fortunate and blessed. My family takes great care of me.’ My job is to continue staying focused and staying as healthy as I can be,’” Westaway said. “I’m very well cared for, so I want to make sure other people are cared for.”

The “Photo For a Cause” gala, photo installation and silent auction takes place at NECC’s Hartleb Technology Center (100 Elliott St., Haverhill) on Oct. 20 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Oct. 21 from 6 to 10 p.m.