The community is invited to a night of music and dancing in support of the the Esophageal Cancer Education Foundation (ECEF).
The first annual fundraiser will be held at Puck, 1 Printers Alley, Doylestown, May 10, from 7 p.m. to midnight. It will feature: One Lane Bridge playing Talking Heads, Grateful Dead, The Doors, and Ween from 7:30- 8:15 p.m.; Cheaky playing Beatles, David Bowie, Zombies, Animals, Pink Floyd, and Billy Joel from 8:45- 9:30 p.m.; and DJ Chica Ye Ye and DJ Secret Cinema (Philly) spinning legendary dance floor classics including mod, garage and northern soul from 9:30 p.m.-midnight.
The will be a $15 cover at the door. All proceeds raised from the cover charge, merchandise, raffle, and 15% of bar will be donated to ECEF.
According to its website, the American Cancer Society’s estimates for esophageal cancer in the United States for 2024 are: about 22,370 new esophageal cancer cases diagnosed (17,690 in men and 4,680 in women); and about 16,130 deaths from esophageal cancer (12,880 in men and 3,250 in women).
The fundraiser was organized by Chadd Ritenbaugh, a 1988 Central Bucks West graduate who has been undergoing treatment for the disease since being diagnosed in late 2022. He said he was first diagnosed with stage 2, and later stage 3 esophogeal cancer. He said he has been treated with chemotherapy, radiation and surgery, and is currently being treated with immunotherapy, which is scheduled for completion in May. Ritenbaugh said he is doing well for now.
Ritenbaugh said he plans to speak about EC and tell his story at the fundraiser. He said he chose ECEF as the beneficiary because “through the course of my treatment I learned that there is comparatively very little research dollars spent for this specific type of cancer. I wanted to shine a light on that and also raise awareness about prevention and early diagnosis.
“The mission of the Esophageal Cancer Education Foundation (ECEF),” he added, “is to fund and support public relations, research projects, patient and caregiver services and social network subcommittees. I became aware of them when my thoracic surgeon recommended I participate in their monthly survivors support meetings.”
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