Cathy's Crew to host dancing fund-raiser
By Ken Powers Community Reporter

Cathy McAuliffe stands with the most important parts of Cathy's Crew: husband, Rick, and sons, Patrick (left) and Sean. PHOTO/KEN POWERS

Northborough While Cathy McAuliff e has no problems asking people to donate for research to find a cure for multiple sclerosis (MS), the chronic disease she was diagnosed with in June 2003, she doesn't like to ask folks to just fork over their hardearned money.

"I did that for a couple of years, but I found that I was really only asking family and close friends because they were the only people I felt I could ask," Cathy said. "Last year, we came up with an idea to make an event out of it."

That event, called "Girls' Night In," was a get-together Cathy hosted at her Northborough home. She invited four or five vendors, including one woman who sold handbags and another who sold jewelry, and about 25 female friends.

Girls' Night In was a tremendous success, with more than 50 women attending and more than $1,800 raised, easily exceeding what Cathy thought at the time was a piein the-sky goal of $1,000.

Cathy participates in the MS Lifeline Walk in Boston each year with the same group of family and friends - a group that includes husband, Rick, and sons, Sean and Patrick. They walk together as a group known as "Cathy's Crew." This year will be the fourth consecutive year Cathy's Crew completes the walk, and the fund-raisers Cathy hosts contribute to the total raised by the group for the walk.

Last year's success has prompted Cathy to plan an even more elaborate fundraiser this year, "Dancing for MS," which will be held from 7 p.m. to midnight, Friday March 28, at the Westborough Knights Of Columbus, located at 17 Willow St.

"It started out as a takeoff of 'Dancing with the Stars,' … but that didn't go over too well. Everybody liked the idea, but nobody was willing to step forward and show off their dance steps," Cathy said. "So, we quickly changed it a little bit and came up with 'Dancing for MS.'"

In addition to the chance to dance the night away and help MS research at the same time, those attending the fund-raiser will be able to purchase raffle tickets for lots of great prizes and have a chance take part in a live auction from 7 to 8 p.m.

Among the raffle items will be a baseball autographed by Red Sox legend Johnny Pesky and gift certificates to area shops and restaurants.

From 8 to 8:30 p.m., there will be a Dancing with the Stars performance by some area dancers, and then everyone will be invited to hit the dance floor and show off their moves from 9 until midnight.

Tickets to the event, which are $20, are on sale at Lowe's Variety and Meat Shop, Shattuck Pharmacy and Strut women's clothing store.

All proceeds will benefit the Central New England Chapter of Multiple Sclerosis in the name of Cathy's Crew. People who would like to contribute to Cathy's fundraising eff orts, but are unable to attend the March 28 event can donate directly at www. msnewengland.org.

When donating, make sure to do so in the name of Cathy's Crew and team captain Cathleen McAuliff e, and note that the team is participating in the MS Lifeline Walk in Boston Sunday April 13. The designation is necessary so the donations will be added to the team's total.

Cathy said she hopes to raise $2,500 this year between the Dancing for MS fund-raiser and the money people pledge to her and her crew of walkers.