Staff Writer

Occasionally, someone who has spent a lifetime helping others must ask for help themselves. Such is the case with OldOrchard Beach resident Ben MacKaye, who was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer and brain cancer nearly a year ago. 

Before  his wife Katharine found him on the kitchen floor having a seizure on April 4, 2008, MacKaye said there was no indication he had cancer. Once diagnosed, he began intense chemotherapy treatments, which caused him to lose all of his hair, including his eyebrows and eyelashes. He has since been treated with reduced chemotherapy and medications, with the goal of remission, he said. 

Friends of MacKaye, including many local musicians, are hosting a fundraiser to help pay for medical treatments not covered by insurance. MacKaye said his wife handles the medical bills and his only estimate of treatments costs is “expensive.” The musical event will take place from 7 to 11 p.m. at Referee’s on 1^st Street in Old Orchard Beach Friday night. Admission for those 21 years old and older is by donation, with the money going to MacKaye. 

For more than 20 years, MacKaye, 51, has been using his musical talents -– singing and playing the tenor guitar and harmonica – to raise money for food pantries, particularly the Jeanne Davis Memorial Food Pantry based at the Methodist Church in Old Orchard Beach, as well as participating in fundraisers for breast cancer research and bicycle rodeos. The food pantry holds a special place in his heart because of an experience when he was a young father.

“One year, my wife and I were quite poor, we only had a little money for food and it was Christmas,” he said. 

MacKaye said the food pantry gave the family food so they could use the little money they had for Christmas presents for their young children. 

“Since they saved me that time, I figured I would pay them back the next year,” he said. 

MacKaye said a typical fundraiser for the food pantry results in “a barrel of food and $200 or $300.”

Friend and fellow musician Bryan Litchfield of Saco, said MacKaye never expected recognition for his numerous donations to the food pantry and other causes. 

“We just do it and he shows up the next day with cash and food,” Litchfield said. “He’s always doing benefits for the Old Orchard Beach food pantry. Whatever it takes, whoever is in need, Ben would do it.” 

Litchfield said MacKaye originally protested the idea of a fundraiser for himself. 

“He would never ask for any help,” Litchfield said. “He’s just too proud.”

MacKaye said he is used to being a fund raiser, not the recipient.

“I’m used to being on the other side, I’m not used to the receiving end,” he said. “It feels really strange to me. It’s not a bad feeling, I’m just used to being on the other side of the coin.” 

Prior to his diagnosis, MacKaye spent time volunteering at Pine Point Nursing home – where his wife works – singing and playing guitar for an hour at a time to residents. Chemotherapy weakened him and he was forced to discontinue his visits to the nursing home, he said. 

“I was bummed and so were they,” he said. 

Currently, MacKaye said he can still sing, but has trouble playing instruments. He said he has played harmonica since the age of 14 and continues to write and perform original songs.  

“Singing isn’t too much of a problem,” he said. 

Litchfield said he hopes to persuade MacKaye to perform during the fundraiser, but the request will hinge on MacKaye’s strength that evening. 

“We’re looking forward to celebrating and gathering with friends and family,” Litchfield said. “A lot of us are in denial, the thought of Ben not being with us is overwhelming. We love Ben, so whatever it takes to help him out.”