Dallas Rogers, a former tenor vocalist for Dixie Echoes, Inspirations and Heirline, felt compelled to do something to help Madison local, Stephanie Thigpen, in her battle against brain cancer.
On Aug. 27, 2015, Thigpen found out her cancer (Glioblastoma multiforme/fourth stage) had returned. She had surgery the next day to remove a five centimeter tumor. Following surgery, Thigpen was put on Temodar, or chemotherapy, since she had such great success with it back in 2011. Unfortunately, Thigpen and her husband, Bryant, were informed on Monday, Nov. 21 that the chemo didn't work this time and that a new tumor formed approximately five centimeters in size.
At that point, the doctor changed her form of treatment to Avastin, which she gets every other week by IV at the cancer center in Valdosta, and Novocure, a machine that looks like an EEG machine but acts like radiation to the brain. She wears the machine 17 hours per day/seven days a week.
On Feb. 10, the Thigpens returned to Gainesville for another MRI to learn the tumor has not grown, but it hasn't decreased in size, either. Thigpen's doctor added a different form of chemotherapy to her treatment plan, in addition to Avastin and Novocure, which she takes monthly in Valdosta. Thigpen's son, Tripp is now five and her daughter Brynlee is 21 months.
To help provide funding for Thigpen's medical expenses, there will be a benefit dinner and concert held for Thigpen on Saturday, March 5 at the Main Street Playhouse & Event Center, located at 172 SW Range Avenue.
Dinner will be served from 6:30 p.m. until the food is gone. The menu will consist of BBQ sandwiches, chips and drinks.
The concert will begin at 7 p.m. Rogers will be performing, along with LifeSong and special music by Graycie Eason. A love offering will be received during the concert.
There are a limited number of tickets so be sure to get them early! Tickets can be picked up at A Main Street Realty or reserved by calling Bryant Thigpen at (850) 464-0114.