Bristol Benefit Takes Aim at Cystic Fibrosis

Tom Netherland | Special to the Herald Courier
Published: June 3, 2008

BRISTOL, Tenn. – Lolly Kiser is a grin-a-minute person. Very welcoming.
She refers to folks as “honey” or “sweetheart” and such. Really friendly person.
But Kiser tightens her straps on the serious at the mention of cystic fibrosis. Her friend’s granddaughter has cystic fibrosis, and Kiser pitched in to help.
Each year, Kiser hosts a fundraiser at her home for cystic fibrosis research. This year’s event takes place on June 7 at Kiser’s home on West Cedar Street in Bristol, Tenn.
For $25 per person admission, featured fare includes music courtesy Breaking Tradition and The Nomadz, food, soda pop, beer and plain old neighborhood good cheer.
Tickets can be bought at such locations as Paws N Claws, Fast Lane, State Line Bar and Grille, and O’Charley’s and also at the door.
Come one and come all, Kiser said.
“Standing room only, that’s what I’d like to see,” Kiser said from an open bar that opens up behind her home in Bristol, Tenn. “All those chairs and tables, full.”
Translated, the more who come, the more funds that will be given to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, which Kiser said will receive all proceeds. However, there’s a catch – a good catch.
“All the money stays in Northeast Tennessee, and it is all earmarked for research, which I think is important for people to know,” she said.
While her pale white cockatoo Miss Alley looked on from her perch, Kiser spoke point blank regarding why she became involved in 2001 by hosting the annual event.
“Pat Phipps is one of my best friends in the world,” Kiser said. “When her granddaughter, Chloe Vance, was diagnosed I thought, ‘What is this?’ I had never heard of cystic fibrosis before.”
And so each first Saturday in June since 2001, Kiser has opened her expansive backyard and raised about $3,000 to $4,000 each year. With the intention of raising funds and awareness regarding cystic fibrosis, she has managed to enlist the help of folks throughout the community. That includes local bluegrass band Breaking Tradition who have played the benefit each year.
“We just always wanted to do our part,” said Hal Boyd of Breaking Tradition. “There’s a nice pool and good food, and we always have a good time for a good cause.”
This year food comes courtesy of O’Charley’s. Beer from local distributors. Tri-City Beverage donated soft drinks. Also, various businesses have donated such items as rounds of golf to lawn mowing to car pinstriping that can be won via drawings of purchased $1 tickets.
“It is about our community and the people who live in our community and the children in our community who have cystic fibrosis,” Kiser said.
Most communities have a Chloe Vance, a child with cystic fibrosis. If every community had a Lolly Kiser, then perhaps there would come a day when far fewer children would have to deal with the insidious cystic fibrosis.
Still, advances have been made in recent years, Kiser said.
“It was a death sentence before, and now it’s not,” she said. “That’s happened because of the research and awareness. But it’s amazing the people who come here who have never heard of it.”
And so Kiser marches on.
“I believe this backyard function is helping to prolong somebody’s life,” she said.
And each year, she loves to have folks on hand to help.
“You’ll get good music, good camaraderie, good food and for a good cause,” Kiser said, grinning wide in anticipation. “Y’all come. Everybody come.”

IF YOU GO
n What: Cystic fibrosis benefit
n When: June 7, 7-10 p.m.
n Where: Lolly Kiser’s home, 1009 W. Cedar St., Bristol Tenn.
n Tickets: $25
n Info: (423) 764-2400 or (423) 956-1139
n Web: http://www.cff.org/chapters/knoxville/

TOM NETHERLAND is a freelance writer. He can be reached at .

What Is Cystic Fibrosis?
According to the Cystic fibrosis Web site (http://www.cff.org), it is an inherited chronic disease that affects the lungs and digestive system of about 30,000 children and adults in the United States (70,000 worldwide). A defective gene and its protein product cause the body to produce unusually thick, sticky mucus that clogs the lungs and leads to life-threatening lung infections; and obstructs the pancreas and stops natural enzymes from helping the body break down and absorb food.
In the 1950s, few children with cystic fibrosis lived to attend elementary school. Today, advances in research and medical treatments have further enhanced and extended life for children and adults with CF. Many people with the disease can now expect to live into their 30s, 40s and beyond.