Saturday, November 22, 2008
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Published Sunday, October 05, 2008 in Close-Up
Benefit event for Newnan man Oct. 11 at Wadsworth
Jeff Buchanan of Newnan may have been knocked down by cancer -- but he hasn't been knocked out.
He, with the loving support and encouragement of family and friends, has picked himself up and is fighting the disease with all his strength.
He was diagnosed two years ago, and doctors removed part of his liver and colon before starting him on treatments. In April, Buchanan donned his fighting gloves for round two when tests revealed more spots on his liver. He will have a second liver surgery later this year.
The Buchanans' fight hasn't been an easy one, and has taken its toll on the family both emotionally and financially. The Buchanans will move in with other family members at the end of the month, having lost their house because of the financial strain.
In answer to this punch that's left them staggering, friends of the Buchanans have stepped up to the plate, organizing a benefit concert for the Buchanans at the Charles Wadsworth Auditorium on Jefferson Street on Oct. 11. The concert, which will feature a long list of performers, will take place from 10 a.m. until 8:30 p.m. Tickets are available the day of the event for $15, or can be purchased via credit card at www.freewebs.com/jbuchanan/ . Ticket holders are invited to come and watch their favorite performers, or hang around for the day's festivities, which -- in addition to the music -- include dancing, food and raffles for items such as a guitar autographed by Alan Jackson and items donated by Casting Crowns.
For those wishing to donate to the Buchanan family, tax-deductible donations can be made at the Bank of Coweta in the name of Jeff Buchanan.
Buchanan's family includes his wife, Michelle, a Newnan native, two 16-year-old twin boys, Hart and Hunter, and daughter Hannah, 19.
Buchanan is a 1978 honor graduate of Newnan High School. He lettered in football and wrestling, and won the 1977 Football Academic Award and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes Award. He graduated from West Georgia College in 1984 with a communications degree and went to work for WMGT-TV in Macon as sports director and on-air sports reporter. He has been employed with Avery Dennison Corp., in Peachtree City for the past 22 years. He has coached a number of youth teams over the years, including baseball, football and soccer. Two of his youth baseball all-star teams won the Pony League State Title.
Scheduled entertainers for the Oct. 11 benefit concert include: End of Days -- a Christian rock band; Waves of Grace -- a liturgical dance team; Circle of Friends -- a soft jazz band; Blue Suede Entertainment -- a "rockabilly" tribute show; One Word Productions -- a salsa group; Life Changing Souls Ministry -- a praise dance team; Gotta Dance Atlanta -- a hip hop group; Reverence -- a Christian alternative band; Studio Dionne -- a dance team; Penny Miller -- Christian performer; Country Line Church Drama -- interpretive movement group; By Grace Ministries -- a Christian band; A New U -- belly dancers; and Fuster & Maw Buskins -- country storytellers/mountain music.
A schedule of performances can be found at the web site mentioned above.
Parking instructions will be available on the web site and at the event.