Funny guys team up to raise money for cancer patient

Even comedians know cancer is no laughing matter.

But four area stand-up comics will use their ability to make people laugh to benefit a Chaffee, Mo., girl battling the disease.

Andrew Chandler of Cape Girardeau is joining three comics from Carbondale, Ill., on Saturday to raise money to benefit 8-year-old Lexis White.

White, a fourth-grader at St. Ambrose School in Chaffee and daughter of Nikki White, was diagnosed in March with osteosarcoma, a common form of bone cancer. Removal of the tumor involved knee replacement surgery at Cardinal Glennon Children's Medical Center in St. Louis.

The 7:30 p.m. show at Schock's Pub in Scott City is the first of two events scheduled to help the girl's family with medical bills. A July 30 dance and silent auction will be held at Ray's Plaza Conference Center in Cape Girardeau.

Chandler, who is 19 and a student at Southeast Missouri State University, performs almost weekly in Carbondale.

"When I started at SEMO, I met some friends who started telling me I was really funny," Chandler said.

He accepted a challenge to take the stage at Broadway Books and Roasting Co., in Cape Girardeau less than a year ago and has been performing ever since.

Chandler, who describes his stage persona as "an awkward kid" who makes observations about the world, said he would like to have a career in comedy. He is studying to become a lawyer in case he doesn't make it professionally as a comedian.

Carbondale comics Dave Sharp, Mike Garvin and Ross Kelly will round out the comedy portion of the program Saturday night.

Garvin, 26, has been doing stand-up for less than two years and is focusing on a career as a professional comedian. Sharp, 31, is a graduate student at Southern Illinois University but hopes to make it as a full-time comic.

"I'm at the point where I'm getting some paying gigs," Sharp said.

While there are bars and clubs in Cape Girardeau and Carbondale that host open mike nights for comedians occasionally, the performers for Saturday's benefit often have to travel long distances if they want to perform regularly and hone their skills.

"Living where I do and being a comic is tough," said Sharp, adding that the local comics often have to work to set up local shows. "If you can't find [places to perform] you have to make your own."

Local promoter and DJ "Doc Dave" Parsons organized and will host the evening, which will also include music by the Silver Lining Band. Parsons contacted the comics through a mutual friend.

Parsons said he didn't know Lexis White or her family before creating the benefit, but he does know about cancer.

"I just felt from having family members and friends dealing with this disease, I wanted to step up and help anyway I can," said Parsons, who said he has been a disc jockey and producer for 25 years. "I feel from being a disc jockey and being in the entertainment scene that this event would offer a night of laughs and great music."

"I'm very blessed to talk to such a great family and make new friends out of this," Parsons said. "They are incredible and very special in my book."

Want to go?

* What: Lexis White Benefit

* When: Showtime 7:30 p.m. Saturday

* Where: Schock's Pub

* Cost: $4 donation at the door

Pertinent address:

116 E. Hickory, Scott City, MO