Fundraiser for Barrington family set for Saturday

Friends of Barrington's Colin Barth, who was diagnosed with cancer last year, are hosting a special event Saturday in hopes of making his 6-year-old daughter's wish comes true.

For a recent school assignment, Taytem Barth was asked to finish the sentence, "May there always be…"

While many kids filled in candy or ice cream, Taytem responded with "Daddy."

Hundreds of people, including former Bears running back Johnny Morris, are expected to attend Saturday's "May There Always be Daddy" event at the Wool Street Grill in Cary to help raise funds for the Barths.

"It is just tragic what has happened," said Christina Currie, one of the organizers. "Everyone felt we needed to come together for them."

The fundraiser -- featuring food, live music from Way Past Curfew, a silent auction and raffle -- is scheduled for 7 to 11 p.m. and is open to everyone. Tickets are $75.

Barth, a father of four, was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer last Halloween. Since his diagnosis, Barth has been undergoing various stages of treatment, including several rounds of chemotherapy.

"Things are going OK," said Julie Barth, his wife. "He has his good days and bad days."

What's helping, Julie Barth said, is the wonderful support the family has received from the community.

"It is just unbelievable," she said. "I have complete strangers calling me out of the blue (to help)."

Megan Morris, another fundraiser organizer, said the group started planning for Saturday's event in the days after Barth's diagnosis.

"We are all just so stunned. We just felt like we needed to do something," she said.

They hope for a big turnout to help the Barths pay their mounting medical expenses.

"We want to assure they live a comfortable life and that their children are taken care of," Currie said.

For more information on Saturday's fundraiser or the Barth family, visit friendsofbarths.com.

If you go

What: "May There Always Be Daddy" fundraiser for Barrington resident and cancer patient Colin Barth and his family. Includes food, live entertainment, silent auction, raffle.

When: 7-11 p.m. Saturday.

Where: Wool Street Grill, 800 Feinburg Court, Cary.

Cost: $75 per person.