MAHIMA gives 'Hope' to cancer patients

As Jamaicans ready themselves to spend time with their family and loved ones, Zen Events stages the second annual 'MAHIMA' celebration, a benefit concert to be held this evening at The Deck on Trafalgar Road.

The event will include Tami Chynn, T.O.K, Cezar, Rootz Underground family featuring Jeff & Scubi, Keida, Seanizzle, Farenheit, Marcus-I, Omar Francis, and Wayne McGregor.

The group of artistes has come together to lend support to raising funds for the Hope Institute, a cancer hospice that provides care and treatment for patients at little or no cost.

The Hope Institute, the brainchild of the Jamaica Cancer Society, opened its doors in 1963 and today still continues to provide top-quality treatment and care for terminal cancer patients in Jamaica.

As the sole facility of its kind in Jamaica, it faces the challenge of keeping its doors open and is in desperate need of medical equipment, hospital furniture, and complete renovation of its kitchen.

MAHIMA was first held in November 2009 to assist in raising funds for Monique 'Mahima' Geourzoung, a close friend of the Zen fraternity who experienced her own battle with breast cancer and found comfort at the Hope Institute.

Monique passed away in September of this year, but had earlier requested that the concert continue, and that assistance continue to pour out to the institute that has aided so many.

According to Ron Young of Zen Events, "We love Monique and miss her daily. It is important that we help others like her. The Hope Institute needs us and that is our promise. She appreciated what they did for her, and we appreciate it. We're hoping to do this every year."

Genuine efforts

Co-headliners T.O.K. has also expressed its excitement about being a part of MAHIMA this year.

Craigy T of the dancehall supergroup explained that "T.O.K. is always happy to be involved in genuine efforts by the Jamaican music fraternity to give back to those in need."

T.O.K has spearheaded its own charitable effort - the Guardian Angel Foundation - to fight diseases stemming from hypertension, and Craigy T asks patrons to put their full support behind charitable efforts such as MAHIMA and their own charity, especially at this time of year.

Tickets are $1,000 and gates open at 6 p.m. Showtime is 8 p.m.

Visit the MAHIMA Facebook page for details.