LIHU‘E — So moved was Ed “ET” Taylor not only at the turnout for his cancer-fighting fundraiser, but by the interest in winning the door prize of a week at his family’s Koke‘e State Park cabin, that he decided to
LIHU‘E — So moved was Ed “ET” Taylor not only at the turnout for his cancer-fighting fundraiser, but by the interest in winning the door prize of a week at his family’s Koke‘e State Park cabin, that he decided to offer a second week.
Helen Bice, who brought her staff from Tropic Pool and Spa to the fundraiser at the Lydgate Beach Park main pavilion Dec. 2, won the first week, and Susan Oshiro-Taogoshi won the second week, a press release states.
“Eddie’s Rebound” was the theme of the evening of food, music, dancing and other merriment, thrown together in just five weeks by eight close friends of Taylor concerned about the rising costs of his colorectal-cancer treatment.
Twice the goal amount was raised at the event, though the goal amount was not stated.
Organizers called the gathering, attended by Kaua‘i Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr., wife Regina Carvalho and hundreds of other people, “a wonderful testimony to our community’s ability to rally in support of a friend and neighbor.
“It also says something about reaping what you sow. Eddie Taylor has been sowing good deeds and making friends on Kaua‘i for the past 30-plus years,” the release states.
“He and his wife of 25 years, Vicky, raised their two daughters, now both in college, in Wailua, where he coached girl’s soccer for many years.
“He is known for his kindness, acceptance, generosity and easygoing nature. He is the peacemaker when others are in conflict.
“So, it should not have been a surprise when hundreds of people showed up for his benefit despite the nasty weather that night,” said organizers in the release.
Taylor has not been able to work since 2008 when he was diagnosed with colorectal cancer. He had radiation treatment in Honolulu, but his surgeries and chemotherapy have been at Wilcox Memorial Hospital.
Because of excessive radiation, what was to be the final operation wasn’t successful; the tissues couldn’t heal together, the release states.
Due to the financial support gained from this benefit, he will be able to continue hyperbaric-chamber treatments, which deliver concentrated oxygen to the deprived tissues and allow them to heal.
He will once again attempt to have the surgery in late February 2011.
Billy Paul, a local country/rock singer, pulled together some excellent musicians including Kirby Keough, John Hunt, Conrad Mathews, Phil Watts and John Murphy to form the Billy Paul Rocking Soul Review.
Attendees raved about the music and packed the dance floor.
Well-known composer and performer Cindy Combs and husband Watts started off the evening’s entertainment with some nostalgic songs from the ‘60s and ‘70s as well as some Hawaiian music and originals.
The food prepared by John Kuehu and Kenny Alapa and crew was plentiful and tasty, making use of Kaua‘i-grown produce.
Organizers reported more than doubling their fundraising goal due to the generosity of so many, including many who did not attend but sent in donations.
The silent auction was particularly successful with donations from artist Robert Miller Mazzarella, cabinet/fine furniture maker Matt Knott of Aloha Cabinets, Majestic Gems, a deep-sea-fishing charter from Mike O’Brien, accommodations in New Zealand, and many other items from Kaua‘i supporters such as Island Soap & Candle, Island Hemp & Cotton, Francine Kanter, A Center for Well Being, Prince Golf Course, Isabella’s Suncatchers, Jacqueline of Kaua‘i, Marie Fifield, Winston Kawamoto, Garden Isle Surf School, Carol Dunmeyer and Patrice Pendarvis.
“We are so blessed to be surrounded by so many caring people. Lucky we live Kaua‘i,” said Vicky Taylor, adding that the emotional outpouring of support from the community was greatly appreciated by the family, and will go a long way toward Eddie Taylor’s healing, as will the financial proceeds.
