By Mary O’KEEFE

“One draped with a cape, no battle is too great …”

Shari, a professional magician who goes by her first name only, saw a group of people walking around a track years ago. They were dressed in purple and she was curious. Once she found out the walkers were part of a Relay for Life event, she was hooked, and has supported Relay events in several different communities ever since.

Her support for cancer research and awareness has grown over time, and became a calling three years ago that has helped the most vulnerable.

“Three years ago my son was diagnosed with a terminal illness,” Shari said. “He was fighting for survival and needed a transplant. I thought, ‘We need a cure for him.’”

One day when she was outfitted in a cape at the hospital, a little boy and little girl – both battling terminal cancer – asked her why she was wearing the cape. She said it was because she was a superhero, then she let them wear it. They went around the room pretending to be superheroes. That is when she got the idea to create Capes 4 Cures. Her son was able to receive a transplant and is in good health now.

Shari however continues to spend many, many hours at cancer wings in hospitals around the area talking to terminally ill children and finding out what they feel their super powers are.

“Kids pick out their own capes, they get to design it – most of the time at their bedside,” said her “better half” Eugene, also a magician.

“I don’t charge for the capes, and the child must be terminal,” Shari said.

The reason she has focused on these children is because they are fighting a fight that “no child should have to face.” She listens to these children, and makes them feel special. She performs magic for them and teaches them a few tricks.

Having this type of attention is appreciated by the kids and the parents. She remembers one time when a parent asked if she could go to the cafeteria while Shari was with her child.

“The little girl told her mom to go and eat,” she said.

While Mom was gone, Shari taught the little girl a magic trick. When her mom returned she was very excited to share her newfound talent. Her mom, Shari said, was impressed.

“Imagine what I could do if you were gone longer,” Shari said the girl told her mom.

So Shari and Eugene Relay not just for cancer research and support, they Relay for those children who they have in their hearts, those caped superhero kids who are battling evil greater than Captain America or Batman have ever faced.

It is important to Shari that the focus be on the children. Even when parents ask for a cape for their healthy kids – a brother or sister – she refuses. The child, Shari said, is the one fighting this disease, they are battling it themselves and despite support from family it comes down to the child’s fight. So the capes are only for those superheroes to gather more strength to fight another day.

Shari invites all to come to Relay of Life of the Foothills on May 5-6 at Clark Magnet High School and see what it is all about.

“Even if you don’t want to start a team or be on a team just come and support,” she said.

  Mary Okeefe