Metro Detroit Bars Band Together to Help Industry Veteran Battling Cancer

Friends at bar and restaurant across metro Detroit’s are rallying around a fellow industry veteran, Marisa Rahdar, with a series of benefits to assist with the cost of cancer treatment.

The 31-year-old is known widely in the bar community through her work as a bartender at One-Eyed Betty’s and as a customer. Rahdar was diagnosed with breast cancer in March and since then more testing has revealed cancer in her lymph nodes and tailbone.

According to a crowdfunding campaign launched in April, Rahdar has begun undergoing radiation treatments at Beaumont Hospital in Troy. Unfortunately, she still needs assistance with living expenses and a a large portion of her medical costs won’t be covered by insurance.

Events have already been hosted at One-Eyed Betty’s in Ferndale and Thomas Magee’s in Eastern Market and another is planned for The Sugar House from 5 p.m. to midnight on May 24.

A representative for The Sugar House tells Eater that Rahdar as well as her boyfriend and fellow area bartender Matt Carter have both been “huge supporters of the service industry over the years,” and the bar is looking for any way to help her recovery. All proceeds from the evening will go toward’s Marisa’s expenses. The event will also feature raffles with prizes donated by Two James, William Grant & Sons Distillers, and Diageo. The bar is also accepting additional raffle donations (contact chris@sugarhousedetroit.com). Additional donations can be made at Rahdar’s crowdfunding page.

• Help Marisa Kick Cancer In The Teeth [YouCaring]

• Fundraising Event at The Sugar House [Facebook]