By Ed Karvoski Jr., Contributing Writer
Hudson/Marlborough – Among the memories Hudson resident Zenaide “Zee” Swenson cherishes of living in a hospital with her son Andrew is his love for music. The nonprofit organization Andrew’s Helpful Hands (AHH) serves as a legacy for her son, who passed away of leukemia the day after his seventh birthday in 2002. His passions will be remembered Saturday, July 29, 4 p.m. to midnight, as AHH presents Andrew’s Memorial Jam at the Royal Plaza Trade Center in Marlborough.
Andrew was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia at age 2 and developed testicular cancer at 4. He underwent chemotherapy and radiation treatments, then required a bone marrow transplant. Swenson quit her job and lived with him at the hospital.
“Music was always playing in our hospital room,” Swenson recalled.
Mortgage bills mounted while an unemployed Swenson lived at the hospital. Her brother, John Sousa, organized a fundraiser in 2000 to help keep her family home. In 2001, AHH became a nonprofit organization that pays mortgage or rent payments for families with a child undergoing the bone marrow transplant process.
When Swenson shared with Andrew their plan to reach out to others, he offered a helping hand. His handprint became the AHH logo. For the past 16 years, AHH’s major fundraiser has been its Gold Ribbon Holiday Reception in December at the Embassy Suites by Hilton in Marlborough. In 2017, the memorial jam will replace the holiday reception, Swenson noted.
“For this year only, the Gold Ribbon Holiday Reception will not be held due to the Embassy Suites going through renovations,” she explained.
AHH volunteer Carol Cuerroni, community relations director at Savers in Marlborough, asked musicians she knows to perform at Andrew’s Memorial Jam. The fundraiser is scheduled the week marking the 15th anniversary of Andrew passing away, when he would have turned age 22.
“Carol was able to get Elvis Monroe,” Swenson noted. “Andrew loved country and southern rock.”
Based in Las Vegas, Elvis Monroe performs an eclectic mix of country and classic Americana. Band members have played with musical acts such as Emerson Drive and Matchbox Twenty.
The memorial jam’s lineup will also feature Marlborough rock favorites The Allens and Usual Suspects. Joining them will be Itchy Onion of Gardner, and Young Others with members from throughout the Metrowest area. Swenson is convinced that Andrew’s spirit of helpfulness will continue at the fundraiser.
“Our goal is to give parents time to focus on their child and not worry about bills,” she said. “We’ve helped 52 families stay in their homes. We take over mortgage payments for a whole year. We pay on average $20,000 per family.”
The organization also conducts drives to increase the number of donors on the International Bone Marrow Transplant Registry. When Andrew was undergoing the bone marrow transplant process only one match was found worldwide, Swenson noted. To date, AHH has achieved getting over 46,000 donors. A bone marrow drive will be conducted at the memorial jam.
“We’ll put volunteer donors on the registry who are age 18 to 44 and generally in good health,” she said. “It’s a simple process: buccal swaps to the inside of your cheeks and potentially become a hero who can save another’s life.”
Discounted $40 presale general admission tickets are available through Friday, July 21, by calling or texting Zenaide Swenson, 978-375-3704; Deb Blasko, 508-579-3921; or Tracy Porzio, 508-561-1411. From Saturdays, July 22, through 29 at the door, general admission tickets are $50.
Also, $100 presale VIP tickets are available through the same ordering method and deadline. From Saturdays, July 22 through 29, VIP donation is $120. VIPs will be seated at tables in a prime area with servers distributing hors d’oevres. They’ll also receive a swag bag with items donated by event sponsors.
Sponsors are Platinum: Best Western Royal Plaza Hotel, Capital Convention Contactors, New England AirGun and Center Stage Dance Studio; Silver: McLaren Associates CPA, PC; Photographer: Avidia Bank; Decorations: Lemire Insurance Agency and St. Mary’s Credit Union.
“If Andrew was alive, he would have wanted to run this and be our spokesperson,” Swenson said. “This is our way of letting Andrew know that we’re still doing what he wanted us to do.”
For information, visit, andrewshelpfulhands.com and on Facebook at facebook.com/andrewshelpfulhands.