By JESSICA SIEFF
Niles Daily Star

It was in August 2009 that Pam and Johnny Brawley sent out a very clear message that cancer in no way would define them.

Johnny, whose family is known throughout Niles for its long-standing tradition of helping out its community with benefit fish fries, had found himself on the other side of generosity as the community gave back to one of its own, taking part in a round of fundraisers after he was diagnosed with colon cancer.

Talking about his diagnosis at the time, Brawley, now 43, said, “You can’t explain it…it’s something that is inexplicable to others…”

Almost one year later, Brawley’s condition, according to friends and family has not quite been what they had hoped. But as his birthday nears, they’re in no way slowing down in showing support and keeping up the fight for their friend.

Friends and family have banded together for The Fighting Toad (a.k.a. Brawley himself) Birthday Bash and Benefit set for July 17.

“If you could throw your own birthday party, this is probably what you’d have,” said Cherie Schaller, one of the benefit’s organizers.

Along with food, drinks and entertainment, there will be plenty of activities, she said, including a corn-hole tournament, 50/50 raffle and a photographer will be taking photos for memory book pages to be sold.

“You don’t often get a huge chance like this to pay it forward,” Schaller said.

The idea was born out of Brawley’s upcoming birthday, and so many people wanting to show their support for the family as they continue to grapple with Brawley’s illness.
“So many people want to spend time with Johnny,” Schaller said.

The benefit will be an open house. Tickets are $25 for individuals and $50 for families.
The proceeds will benefit Brawley, his two sons and his wife, high school sweetheart and best friend, Pam.

“I’ve been in love with him since I was 16 years old,” Pam said in August as she sat next to her husband, tears welling in her eyes.

To cope with the upheaval that came into her life with Brawley’s cancer, Pam began blogging at www.thefightingtoad.blogspot.com and she has continued to chronicle the effect the disease has had on her family.

For Brawley, his birthday holds a bittersweet significance. It was the day Pam started blogging about her husband’s diagnosis – a diagnosis that had come just one day prior.
One year later, the support and the steadfast fight for The Fighting Toad rages on – but in true Brawley fashion, the benefit will likely feel a little more like a family get-together.

To find out more about The Fighting Toad Birthday Bash and Benefit or to purchase tickets, check out Pam’s blog or The Fighting Toad’s page on Facebook.