Friends rally to support cancer patient
Watching Barrington's Paulina Messina give it her all in a fight against cancer has inspired her friends to do the same.
Hoping to raise awareness about cancer prevention, while also collecting donations for the Messina family, Paulina's friends are hosting a special Picnic in the Park fundraiser Saturday.
A mother of two, Messina was diagnosed with stage-4 thyroid cancer in 2006 and is now unable to work.
"She is an amazing gal," said fundraiser organizer Chris Valentine. "She is just on those people whose friends would do anything for her."
The picnic, scheduled for 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., will be held at Citizens Park in Barrington. It will feature live music, food, games, a firetruck, clown and face-painting.
Valentine said it's been inspiring to watch Messina fight the disease as hard as she has.
"She is more determined than anyone you know to beat this," she said.
There is a $20 suggested donation per family. For more information, visit paulinamessina.com.
Friday fun: The Fourth of July holiday is over, but that doesn't mean the fun is stopping in Barrington.
To celebrate the end of the workweek, the village is hosting the first of two Summer Fun Friday events tonight.
As part of the festivities, the winner of this year's Barrington High School Battle of the Bands contest, Unsanctioned, will perform a free concert on the balcony of Egg Harbor Café on Cook Street in downtown Barrington. The concert starts at 5 p.m.
Food from Sergio's Pizza, Pasta and Ribs and Kaleidoscoops will also be available.
A second Summer Fun Friday is scheduled for Aug. 22.
• Chad Brooks covers the Barrington area. Contact him at (847) 427-4476 or cbrooks@dailyherald.com.