After months of pain and a search for answers, lifelong Wiscasset resident Mike Reed was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer, originating in the appendix.

Reed welds worm digging hoes and harvests marine worms in the Wiscasset area. He is self-employed; and due to the pain of the cancer and ongoing chemotherapy he is unable to work.

This past summer he got married with intentions on having a honeymoon in early 2013.  Due to the urgency of the cancer and the amount of financial resources that were expended to make up for the loss of income, the Reed and his wife Ellee's honeymoon was canceled.

A team of Reed’s friends and family, led by long-time friend Pam St. Jean, will be throwing a benefit to help recover the loss of income as well as medical costs and finally send the couple on their honeymoon.

Reed has three children, Desiree Bailey of Wiscasset; Jessica Reed of Fuquay-Varina, N.C., and Justin Reed of Wiscasset. Reed is the son of Judith Reed of Wiscasset.

The benefit will be on April 20 at the Damariscotta Legion Hall. There will be a spaghetti dinner from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., a silent auction starting at 7:30 p.m., and a benefit dance put on by The Wicked Good Blues Band and The Dyer Neck Gang starting at 8 p.m.

Tickets are on sale in Wiscasset at: Possibilities Salon, Hunters Breakfast, Wiscasset Quick Stop, Harrington Bait and in Bath at the Galley Restaurant, in Damariscotta at Consigning Women, and in Alna at The Alna Store. Tickets are $10 per person, ages 10 and under are free until 8 p.m. (when the band and cash bar start and it will become 21 and over only).

For more information or to volunteer to help, please contact Pam St. Jean at 207-380-1799.