Jer's Fight Benefit in Enfield to Support Melanoma Research

ENFIELD, CT — Jerry Flanagan may have lost his fight with melanoma five years ago, but his family and friends continue to honor his legacy and help others by supporting melanoma research.

Flanagan, a former hockey player at Fermi High School, passed away July 27, 2011 at age 55. His family says melanoma is curable if detected early enough, but that was not the case with him.

Jer's Fight, which raised over $15,000 for research during its initial event in 2012, is marking the five-year anniversary of Flanagan's passing with another gathering on Sunday, Aug. 28 at Chicago Sam's in Enfield.

The fundraiser, which will run from 1 to 5 p.m., will include a number of wonderful gift packages, raffles, pool tournaments, 50/50 and lots of laughs and memories.

In a letter to potential sponsors and donors for the event, Flanagan's family wrote:

"Jerry went through many different trials to find the cure but it was not to be for him. There was always hope that the next one was going to be the cure. Jer fought his fight for six years, and if it weren't for the ongoing research, they would have sent us home. Research gave us six more years!"

More information is available by checking out the Jer's Fight Facebook page, or by emailing JersFight2016@gmail.com.

Photo courtesy of Lynda Flanagan