By Suzette Martinez Standring
On May 10, 2025 Firefighters vs Cancer hosted a local comedy show to give free early cancer screening kits ot the Milton (MA) firefighters. So what happened, and more importantly, how can you put one on, too?
First and most importantly, the free early cancer detection kits will be given to our local Milton firefighters, thanks to attendees and donors.
The Milton High School auditorium seats 700, but it was a smaller turnout than hoped for. However, the professonal comedians were hilarious - Tony V, blogger Suzette Standring, Carolyn Plummer, emcee Patty Driscoll Gould, and Will Noonan (pictured below).
Everyone loved their comedy, and the $30 ticket price was a great value, according to unanimous feedback from attendees. Entertainment was provided by On-Premise Entertainment, founded by Harry Conforti, a Boston comedy scene legend. (Photo of Suzette with Harry Conforti).
But it was a learning curve.
For other communities who want to do this for their local firefighters here are the lessons learned.
Get key players onboard
Work with the Fire Chief, like we did, to make sure the event is sanctioned. If possible, get the mayor or governing body involved for a wider reach.
Timeline:
We secured the venue on January 8, 2025 for the May 10, 2025 (Mothers’ Day weekend) comedy fundraiser. Looking back, book the event even farther in advance for sponsorship and promotion.
Here near Boston, spring has everyone triple-booked with competing events - graduations, proms, spring outings, weekend getaways, etc. We should have booked in March or earlier when there was less to do.
Venue:
Milton High School donated the 700-seat auditorium and custodian services to this worthy cause (thank you, Superindent Peter Burrows). Other communities could follow suit to avoid a major venue cost. Just find a less competive month/date for events. Also, arrange for a separate room for the entertainers before the show.
Sponsorship:
An active sponsorship committee should be set up in advance. Fortunately, the Milton Woman’s Club made a generous, early donation to get the event underway, but a focused committee group would increase results.
Entertainment:
The performers were stellar, and On-Premise Entertainment made recommendations and coordinated the comedians. Harry Conforti was on hand with equipment, if needed, but Milton High School had student staff to handle the AV. Find out about staff availability in advance.
Promotion:
Set up a social media committee in advance with a schedule for posts and promotion. Don’t rely on individual efforts or trust others to circulate what is needed. Reach out to local newspapers, local TV stations, and radio hosts, and this all takes advance planning.
The Early Cancer Screening Kits
Firefighters vs Cancer can help communities with ordering and shipping the kits by OneTest to fire stations. Just contact us.
Some of these lessons were hard won, but our local firefighters will get their early cancer screening kits, and that’s what counts.
Don’t hesitate to put on your own local fundraiser. Everyone loves firefighters, and everyone hates cancer, so let’s save lives. (Pictured below: Mike Foley, founder of Firefighters vs Cancer).
DO YOU HAVE A FIREFIGHTER RELATED CANCER STORY?
Please contact Suzette Standring (suzette@firefightersvscancer.org) if you, as a firefighter or family member, have a story to share.
EARLY TESTING SAVES LIVES, ORDER OneTest
Buy the OneTest early cancer detection home kit here and apply the below codes to get everything at the stated price and for free shipping.
COUPON CODES for OneTest:
FFvCStand – Includes the Standard Test with Capillary Draw device and free shipping ($199)
FFvCPrem – Includes the Premium Test with Capillary Draw device and free shipping ($345).
To order and get more infomation about OneTest, CLICK HERE
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