Benefit to Aid Child with Inoperable Cancer

People who want to help a 10-year-old with a childhood cancer called Alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma can donate items for a live auction or purchase tickets for A Comedy Fundraiser Thursday in Hermosa Beach at The Comedy & Magic Club.

Live auction items should be donated no later than Thursday morning.

Lori Strauss, who most recently attended Pacific Elementary in MB after going to Hermosa View and Hermosa Valley in HB, is battling inoperable stage 3 cancer, undergoing chemotherapy treatments for a year at minimum, said her dad Jeff Strauss, an MB resident.

"Lori really loves her pets, black cat Jesse and black German Shepard Zoey," wrote Jeff in an email "Lori likes to play soccer, tennis and loves to snow ski. She also loves boogie boarding on sunny days at the beach. She's a real sweet girl. Lori has a giant heart and is super friendly. Lori currently is missing her friends at school..."

Tickets for the benefit are $25 per person. There is a two-drink minimum and attendees must be 18 or older. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the show starts at 8 p.m. Attendees may opt to purchase dinner at the club.

If you'd simply like to provide aid, make checks payable to Lori Strauss, 917 Manhattan Beach Boulevard, Manhattan Beach, CA  90266, said Jeff, who added that all donations are tax-deductible.

"Our mission as a family is for increasing awareness in the community about this rare childhood cancer," wrote Jeff, who notes that not all insurance providers are child friendly, have hospitals with speciality departments for treating this diagnoses or will allow outside second opinion.  

"Knowing you can't get the best care for your child is heart breaking and especially after doing an independent second opinion at your expense," he wrote, saying that it's difficult as a parent when you know another facility/hospital specializes in this particular cancer but you're unable to send your child there for treatment.

To purchase tickets, donate a live auction item or provide assistance, call Jeff at (310) 357-7769 or email beachoffice@aol.com.