'AdamPalooza' Raises Cancer Research Funds

Huntington school board trustee Adam Spector recently ran an informal cancer-research fundraiser in his backyard.

"AdamPalooza was a huge success. My friends and family raised over $2,300 for lung cancer research," he said. Spector has been undergoing treatment for lung cancer.

"It started out as an early 50th birthday party for me. It ended up as a fundraiser I could not have imagined. I turn 50 in November, and decided I wanted to celebrate with a fun party.  Our backyard is a wonderful place to party, only not in November. Also, why not party while I feel good? I never know what the future will bring, but I know that week 3 of my chemo cycle is usually a good weekend," he wrote on a blog.

"Unfortunately I could not invite all the people I wanted, but was happy to have many family and friends to celebrate with me. With the exception of a cure for cancer, there is really nothing I want, so I asked that rather than giving gifts, people contribute to lung cancer research at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.  I put out a collection jar and we raised over $2,300 in one day.  I am so incredibly proud of and impressed by my guests, who really stepped up to help."