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AUBURN — There will be a special benefit show for Make-A-Wish Maine Saturday, May 12, at Margaritas Mexican Restaurant, 180 Center St..
The night will feature acoustic music from 6 to 8 p.m., after which The Skidmarks will take the stage, followed by Continental Shakedown at 9 p.m., culminating with a jam featuring members of Continental Shakedown with drummer Jeff Glidden and members of L-A Harley Band. Other surprise artists will also perform.
Glidden has a personal reason for wanting to support Make-A-Wish.
“My family’s involvement with Make-A-Wish Maine started out in a rather unique way,” he said. “In 2013, our daughter Sarah was diagnosed with an extremely rare form of cancer. Only 10 to 15 cases reported in the USA per year.” He said, though, that the type of cancer is 90 percent curable. “And I’m happy to report that it was.”
The story doesn’t end there. “Fast-forward almost two years later,” he said, “and Sarah’s oncologist noticed some erratic heartbeats in her EKGs during chemo.”
As a precaution, she and the other members of her family underwent stress tests and EKGs. “The cardiologist told us that everything was fine, but (four days later) at 6 a.m., Sarah’s younger sister Erica suffered a full cardiac arrest,” Glidden said. “I did CPR on her, and I’m happy to report we brought her back whole.”
Glidden said the medical experts believe the girls suffer from a hereditary condition called Long QT syndrome. “We are so blessed that both have made full recoveries,” he said.
Glidden said through an oversight at Maine Children’s Cancer Program, Sarah didn’t receive her wish until almost two years after her diagnosis.
“When MAWM called me about it, I said Sarah’s wish would be great, considering everything that happened to Erica.” Glidden told the MAWM representative what had happened with the girls. “She said I must be kidding,” Glidden noted, “but I said there was no way to make this up.
The MAWM representative said Erica would receive a wish, too. It was the first time MAWM had two children from the same family with different conditions get wishes at the same time, Glidden said.
Erica’s wish was to see “Hamilton” on Broadway. Sarah said all she could see during her chemotherapy treatments was her family somewhere tropical, on the beach. MAWM sent the family to Costa Rica for a week.
Glidden said that he “can never repay MAWM for their kindness.”
“But I try,” he said.
Both girls have made complete recoveries. Both were in their freshman year in high school when their separate medical conditions occurred.
Sara, 20, is a sophomore at Smith College, and Erica, 17, will graduate from South Portland High School this year.
Proceeds from the show will boost Glidden’s goal of raising money to coincide with the state chapter’s annual Walk for Wishes being held the following week.
In addition to accepting donations, there will be a 50/50 raffle and silent auction. Anyone wishing to donate items for the auction may contact Ken Goodman of Auburn, who is coordinating the event, at 207-577-5701, or via email, kengoodman9473@gmail.com.
PHOTO: Jeff and Maryann Glidden of South Portland are flanked by their daughters, Erica, left, and Sara. Both daughters had medical issues and they each received a wish granted from Make-A-Wish Maine (Submitted photo)
