Community members are coming together to help a local woman overcome an illness.


Sunday, more than 200 people came out for the Hope for Heather Benefit at the Knights of Columbus in Binghamton. The benefit was for local 30-year-old, Heather Bucalos who was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma this past December.


Hodgkin's Lymphoma is a cancer of the lymph nodes that is both treatable and survivable, but takes extensive medical care.

The benefit included a dinner of pasta, meatballs and salad, along with music,entertainment, raffles and door prizes.

The goal was to raise around $2,500 to help offset medical costs. Bucalos encourages other's to stay optimistic through life's obstacles.


"There have been a lot of positives. I think a lot of people who are going through cancer treatment, chemotherapy, radiation, any type of struggle actually that they may have in their life, I hope that I've inspired them to work through that with positivity and with friends and family around them," said Bucalos.


Bucalos says that a documentary called "To Be Strong" helped her stay strong in her treatments, and she is now trying to help Anthony, the documentary's main focus, find a bone marrow donor by promoting www.deletecancer.org and on social media, #gotcheeks.