To Show We Care brings cancer patients to the North Shore Music Theater for dinner and a show so that they can enjoy a welcome diversion from the rigors of treatment.
The non-profit organization was started by Stephen Tyler, based on an experience he shared with his fiancée Susan who was undergoing cancer treatment. Susan passed away from the disease, but Stephen never forgot how crucial it was to get a break from treatment and its side effects. He established To Show We Care to provide no-cost entertainment events for patients and their families. The guests enjoy dinner and a show at the North Shore Music Theater, followed by a reception with the entire cast.
Lisa Gatti Whelan cared for Stephen’s fiancée at Mass General, and has seen firsthand how his efforts have impacted patients. “The patients who’ve taken a family member to a play have given very positive comments about the attention to detail,” Lisa says. “This is a labor of love for Stephen and he communicates with us to let us know what event is available for patients to attend.”
Barbara Nelson, a patient who enjoyed one of these evenings, also knows how special they are. “It is not every day that you hear about an organization that succeeds in helping cancer patients with the emotional aspects of this disease. I’m so impressed with how much work goes into every event that To Show We Care organizes. It helps cancer patients to forget, if only for one evening, the difficult journey that each person is going through.”
