Kyle Haist might not have visions of being a professional musician, but his saxophone playing made it to television nonetheless.
‘Lila Lazarus got him to play. and we hadn’t heard him play in months,? said Sharon (Thoel) Bieser, Haist’s mom, of his appearance in a television news story last week. ‘It was really cool to hear him play again.?
A 2006 graduate of Lake Orion High School, Haist is battling Stage 4 melanoma and is in dire need of funds for a last-ditch experimental treatment.
‘They said he’s down to his last couple of months,? Bieser said. ‘He’s a fighter. He still wants to continue whatever treatment options he has.?
A benefit was held for both Haist, 20, and his 63-year-old grandfather, Roger, at Collier Lanes over the weekend. Roger Haist, of Oxford, is suffering from vascular disease, kidney disease and an ischemic colon.
A story appeared in the June 2, edition of The Review, profiling the battle of both men.
Kyle is engaged to Lindsay Halliday, his high school sweetheart. His parents, Bieser and Dean Haist, are both graduates of Oxford High School.
‘There is one experimental treatment he can still try, but it’s not something insurance will cover,? Bieser said.
To help cover those costs, a benefit will be held at JD’s Key Club in Pontiac next Friday (July 25) from 7 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.
Kyle was a member of the Lake Orion Football Team, and Music Program including the Lake Orion Marching Band Sax Line.
He was a pre-med student at Grand Valley State University in December of 2006, when a small mole was removed from his back.
‘It was literally a two-millimeter mole,? his mom said.
At that time, according to Bieser, it was believed Kyle was free and clear of cancer. But in November of last year, he discovered a lump under his right arm.
‘All of the sudden, his life just stopped,? Bieser said.
A few days before Christmas, Kyle had surgery to remove the tumor and it was confirmed the cancer had spread to his lymph nodes.
Since then, he has suffered bravely through surgeries, radiation, biotherapy and chemotherapy, his mother said.
The cancer is aggressive and has spread quickly, causing numerous tumors throughout Kyle’s bones and body.
Family members said Kyle’s spirit and sense of humor have remained high throughout the ordeal, and he has tried to help raise awareness of skin cancer among young people.
Donations to the Kyle Haist Fund can be sent to PO Box 124, Lake Orion, MI 48361.
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Benefit for Kyle Haist
Where: JD’s Key Club at 1 N. Saginaw in Pontiac
When: Friday, July 25 from 7 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.
Cost: $10 per adult ? must be over 21-years-old
Full price of ticket is donated to benefit and includes entrance to club, assigned seating area & pizza.
Also: Cash Bar ? 50% of all bar proceeds will be donated to the benefit (please use waitress to order ? any drinks bought at the bar will not apply) and 50/50 drawing
To purchase your tickets in advance, please contact Kathy Glasener (248)505-4709 or e-mail katglaz69@aol.com. Tickets are also available at the door.