Tucson Artists and Musicians Healthcare Alliance (TAMHA) Hosts Benefit for Local Artist Battling Cancer

Special Performances by Giant Giant Sand and Salvador Duran, Film screening, and Silent Auction at the Hotel Congress July 28, 2012, 7-11 pm

In May 2012 a member of the Tucson Artists and Musicians Healthcare Alliance and a widely known member of the Tucson Arts Community, Mary Charlotte Thurtle was diagnosed with cancer.

TAMHA immediately provided Mary Charlotte with an Emergency Relief Fund Award of $1,000 as she was uninsured at the time of the diagnosis and struggling to pay her medical bills. The TAMHA board of directors and Ms. Thurtle’s supportive team of friends and artists knew they could do more to provide critical financial support.

On July 28, 2012 TAMHA and Pan Left members are hosting a benefit for Mary Charlotte at Hotel Congress from 7pm-11pm. The benefit will include music, film and a silent auction provided by local Tucson businesses. All proceeds from the event will cover the cost of Mary’s living and medical expenses as she undergoes cancer treatment. There will be a suggested $5-10 donation at the door.

Mary Charlotte Thurtle is the executive director of Pan Left Productions, and she has dedicated more than 14 years to non-profit arts and cultural business management and media arts in the Tucson community. Pan Left is a membership-driven collective of progressive media artists, activists and their supporters. “We are the communities we serve—Latino/Latina, Native American, African American, the formerly homeless, immigrants, youth, LGBTQ people and their allies—and our projects and programs grow out of the needs of these communities.” www.panleft.net

Mary Charlotte Thurtle is a cultural steward who has worked extensively within the community and has directly impacted hundreds of people and organizations- from independent media artists to progressive organizations, non-profit organizations and underserved populations who are provided an opportunity to share their stories through the creation and training of media art. Through Mary Charlotte’s leadership, Pan Left has a strong focus on youth, based on the dire need for media tools and skills expressed by several local youth driven organizations.

TAMHA in partnership with Pan Left Productions and the Hotel Congress invite the public to come together to celebrate Mary Charlotte’s work and to support her through a medical emergency.

The Tucson Artist and Musicians Healthcare Alliance is a membership based organization established to provide healthcare resources to artists and musicians in Tucson, Arizona. TAMHA is an Alliance of artists and arts advocates dedicated to the sustainability and vitality of our arts and music community. www.tucsonartists.org.

Media Contacts:

Daniela Ontiveros – Pan Left Board of Directors
ontiverosdaniela@yahoo.com, 520-248-5700 Ext. 3

David Slutes- TAMHA Board of Directors
Entertainment Director- Hotel Congress | Maynards Market and Kitchen
phone 520.622.8848, cell 520.247.4141, fax 520.792.6366