Jaycees to host benefit for local coach/police officer battling brain cancer

The Cary-Grove Jaycees, along with the Palatine Jaycees, will host a fundraiser from 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday, May 20, at Galati's Hideaway, 800 Feinberg Court in Cary, to help with the medical bills for Mark Dahlem.

Dahlem, a local coach for youth football and baseball in Cary and Palatine police officer, was diagnosed with brain cancer in December 2017.

"Mark has given so much to both the Cary and Palatine communities through his coaching and his job," said Tracey Joyner, Cary-Grove Jaycees member and project chair. "Both members of the Cary-Grove and Palatine Jaycees know Mark through his work with coaching and through his work on the Palatine police force. We are holding this fundraiser to help someone who has been a positive influence in countless lives."

The cost to attend the fundraiser will be $25 or $10 for children 12 and under.

Tickets can be purchased with cash at the door.

Admission cost will include a pasta dinner buffet and nonalcoholic beverages. Cash bar will be available.

Additionally, there will be a 50/50 raffle and silent auction.

All proceeds will go to the Dahlem family to help offset medical bills.

The 47-year-old Cary resident was diagnosed with Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) grade IV, an aggressive form of brain cancer. After brain surgery, he has undergone multiple treatments of radiation and chemotherapy. Help support Mark, his wife, Kim, and their children, Abby and Jack, by attending the fundraiser or donating a silent auction item.

For more information on the event or how you can donate silent auction items, email carygrovejaycees@yahoo.com.