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By Michelle Taylor

On December 31st, the Sunset Room in the heart of Elizabeth Township hosted its first New Year’s Eve celebration in honor of Tiffany Fine. The benefit included a live band by House of Soul, an appetizer buffet, a dinner buffet, cake, a champagne toast at midnight, and noisemakers and hats.

Tiffany, with help from family, dances to her favorite song played by the band.

The benefit, organized by The Seth Simon Foundation, was designed to help Tiffany Fine and her family. Tiffany, at 8 years old, was diagnosed with a brain tumor. The tumor, with help from radiation, was successfully treated. Tiffany went on to live a full, productive and active, happy life until age 28, when she received some terrible news.

After receiving a degree in medical billing, the doctor she was working for noticed changes in her behavior. Tiffany began to bump into things and was slurring her speech, so the doctor referred her for some testing. The tests came back positive that the tumor had returned, only this time incurable and inoperable. She is now 33 and the growth has progressed to such an extent it has taken away her ability to walk, talk, and eat – she can only eat through a feeding tube. She is dependent on others to help her with her most basic everyday needs.

The benefit sold 130 tickets at $60 each for a total of $7,800 and had a 50/50 raffle that brought in $600. The winner of the raffle donated the money back to Tiffany and her family. There was also a raffle for $1,000 worth of specialty liquors and other alcoholic beverages. Approximately 100 tickets were sold and the money collected was donated to the Fine family as well.

People interested in making a donation to help Tiffany can do so by going to YouCare.com and searching for Tiffany Fine. The goal is set at $3,000 and as of mid-January, $1,120 has been raised. The funds will help to pay medical bills acquired by the family.