The GOODS from Cafe Medina

Vancouver BC | Luminaries from the hospitality and media industries are banding together to support one of their own at Café Medina on Wednesday, Mar. 9 from 6 to 9 p.m. as they host Writer, Blocked: A Benefit for Michael White.

This past August, White — a former senior editor overseeing food and drink coverage at Vancouver Magazine and award-winning author of music biography Popkiss: The Life and Afterlife of Sarah Records — was days away from departing from the magazine to embark on a series of special projects when he began suffering painful and constant spasms in his neck muscles that caused his head to pull backward and convulse involuntarily. He was soon diagnosed with a form of cervical dystonia, or spasmodic torticollis, a rare and debilitating chronic neurological movement disorder.

With no medical coverage and faced with the sudden loss of his livelihood and independence, a number of supporters — including the BC Hospitality Foundation — stepped forward and donated much-needed funds for White to travel to clinics in both Toronto and New Mexico, where he sought specialized treatments for the incurable condition.

In keeping with that spirit, friends, associates and former colleagues are continuing the goodwill groundswell for White by organizing Writer, Blocked: A Benefit for Michael White, a reception-style fundraising event featuring canapés provided by Café Medina, cheese and charcuterie by La Grotta Del Formaggio and dessert by Bella Gelateria.

Guests will sip on wine donated from See Ya Later Ranch and bid on silent auction items from a number of supporters, including: ARC Restaurant, Bel Café, Boulevard Kitchen & Oyster Bar, Café Medina, Fairmont Empress, Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, Fairmont Pacific Rim, Fairmont Vancouver Airport, Helijet, Frilly Lilly, Joe Fortes, L’Abattoir, Le Creuset, Minami, Odd Society Spirits, Railtown Cafe, Royal Dinette, Sai Woo, Tacofino, The Westin Bayshore, Thomas Haas Chocolates & Pâtisserie, Tinhorn Creek Vineyards, Vancouver Brewery Tours and many more.

“I’m deeply humbled and immeasurably grateful to everyone who has decided to host and lend a hand with this event,” said White. “It’s been a tough pill to swallow, but the kindness, generosity and compassion shown to me by so many since my diagnosis have provided me with a measure of comfort and reassurance as I continue to live with and learn how to battle this condition.”

TICKETS & DONATIONS

Tickets to Writer, Blocked: A Benefit for Michael White cost $49 per person plus tax, and may be purchased via Eventbrite: writerblocked.eventbrite.ca. Cash donations via Eventbrite are also appreciated.

All proceeds from ticket sales and silent auction items will be donated to White as he continues to seek specialized treatment, and to supplement living costs while he is unable to generate income through employment.

For anyone wishing to make a contribution to the silent auction or event, please contact Shelley McArthur at (604) 219-9042 or smc [at] shelleymcarthur.com.