CANCER BENEFITS: MAN, 45, IN NEED OF HELP

Roger East has spent much of his life helping others, but now he is forced to accept help from others.

East of Paducah, Ky., was diagnosed in September with having cancer of the neck.

East, originally from Cape Girardeau, has family in this area.

"He's a proud guy," said East's sister, Barbara East Glueck, "but there comes a time when you have to let the people who want to help do something. People wanted to help, but no one knew how."

Family and friends have scheduled a benefit dance for March 21 at the Bavarian Halle in Fruitland. The dance will run from 6 to midnight, with music provided by Decade. A raffle and door prizes will be given.

Cash donations are being accepted at any Union Planters Bank through the Roger East Cancer Fund.

"We have had such a tremendous response," said Glueck. "This has been such a big group effort."

East, a Vietnam veteran, serves as a captain in the National Guard's 1140th Engineer Battalion.

He and his wife, Pam, have three teen-age sons, and for 10 years he coached soccer for the boys. He is also an assistant football coach for the Lone Oak High School in Paducah.

East has always been an avid sports fan, a backpacker and hiker, his sister said. He's 45 and still is very active.

East was born and raised in Cape Girardeau where he attended St. Vincent de Paul Grade School. After graduating from Central High School in 1970, he spent two years in Vietnam. He returned to Cape Girardeau where he graduated from Southeast Missouri State University in 1976.

East is a sales representative with McNeil Pharmaceutical Co.

East has been undergone treatment at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas. During the past six months, he and his wife have flown to Houston for treatments and back home to be with their family.

He is in Texas now for radiation treatment.

"That's not easy on the family," said Glueck.

BENEFIT DANCE

For Roger East

45-year-old cancer patient

Saturday, March 21

6 p.m. to midnight

Bavarian Halle, Fruitland

$6 donation

For information call (573) 264-2453