Jump City Jazz Orchestra Cancer Research Benefit Concert a Swinging Success

Online, January 13, 2013 (Newswire.com) - The Jump City Jazz Orchestra performed a WONDERFUL themed holiday concert Sunday, December 30, 2012 at Chadwick's The Club at Shannondell , in Audubon, PA. Cancer research is a very somber topic, and even though this hit home, particularly for many of the people in the room, a great time was had by all. Great food and drink from Chadwick's, fantastic music from the Jump City Jazz Orchestra, and dancing.

This concert was the brainchild of Bob Wagner, director of Jump City Jazz Orchestra , in memory of Tom Moyer, former sound engineer for the band, and friend to the band members. Bob wanted to do something for Tom, who sadly died the day before the concert of Pancreatic Cancer. Tom had been treated by Dr. Susan Littman and her excellent team at the Kimmel Cancer Center, Jefferson University Hospital.

Tom and his wife Joy were faced with the financial burdens for the expensive ongoing cancer treatments, only partially covered by health insurance. At the time Bob Wagner planned this event, Tom's contract with Sunoco was terminating at the end of 2012, and the company was being bought out. There was no indication that Tom's contract would be extended, so the unsure employment future also carried with it the potential loss of his medical insurance. The management at Sunoco was wonderful to Tom, giving him whatever time off he needed, and allowed him to work from home when he was unable to make the drive to his office in Essington due to aftereffects of the cancer treatments. They also fought hard, and succeeded in extending an employment offer with the new company, complete with medical benefits. Stories of this type are so rare in today's dog-eat-dog business environment. The members of the management team at Sunoco are also unsung heroes in this story.

When it became clear that many of the uncertainties that burdened Tom regarding employment and health insurance were relieved, Tom had asked Bob Wagner to still continue with the plans for the concert, but to redirect the proceeds to Dr. Littman's research.

Bob negotiated that Chadwick's The Club at Shannondell would provide the venue at a reduced cost, so that the majority of the proceeds from this event could go to a Cancer Research project headed by Dr. Susan Littman . Each of the band members donated their salaries. The band designated that all proceeds from the sale of Jump City Jazz Orchestra memorabilia that included shirts, hats, and CD's, and also the sponsor-share of the 50-50 drawing, were all donated to Dr. Littman's research. The winner's share of the 50-50 pot was also donated to Dr. Littman's research fund.

Thanks to Bob Wagner and all the members of the Jump City Jazz Orchestra for this wonderful event, and their generosity.

Donations to Jefferson Hospital's Pancreas, Biliary, & Related Cancer Center & Dr. Susan Littman's Research Studies in Memory of Thomas C. Moyer can be made at the Jefferson University Hospital donation page.