By Jennifer Eisenbart
Editor
The way Amy Zott looks at her situation right now, she feels she has a choice.
A long-time attorney in Burlington, she was diagnosed last summer with pancreatic cancer. The cancer was already in stage 4B, and she was given six months to a year to live.
But in spite of the limited prognosis and giving up her law practice, Zott has pushed forward.
“You can be angry at God, you can be angry at the world,” Zott said. “Or you can just make the choice to move forward and deal with the time that you have.”
Next weekend, Zott is taking some of the time she has left and paying it forward. She and friends will hold a benefit at 2 p.m. on Sunday, April 10, at Veterans Terrace, 589 Milwaukee Ave., Burlington.
None of the money raised will go to benefit Zott. Instead, all proceeds will go to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, otherwise known as PanCan.
“We don’t need anything,” Zott said. “Financially, we don’t need anything.
“We’re having a benefit because we want to do something for other people, and help out people who have less,” she added.
Zott was asked what she wanted to do with her remaining time, and this benefit was near the top of the list.
“When I came up with it, they all thought I was crazy,” said Zott, who quickly added, “which is not unusual.”
But friends Jill Schoenberg and Kathy Muffitt – Zott’s former law office partner – contend it’s not craziness, just Zott being herself.
“Amy’s very, very good at advocating for others,” Schoenberg said. “Amy is one of the nicest, most genuine and kind people I know.”
Schoenberg said the benefit also gives people a chance to help out – though not directly with Zott or her situation.
“Everyone wants to do something for you,” Schoenberg recalled telling Zott. “This is something we can do.”
Muffitt remembers Zott initially setting a goal of $2,500 when creating her non-profit fundraising page. For Muffitt, that didn’t even begin to scratch the surface of what Zott could do.
“You don’t understand how much the community cares about you,” Muffitt said she told Zott. “And how much people care.”
The stated goal is now $25,628, of which $1,500 has already been donated.
What comes from the benefit could be substantial. There will be numerous live and silent auction items, which include everything from Green Bay Packers tickets, to an autographed Tony Romo helmet, to a vintage diamond ring, to flowers for a year.
Purple ribbons, some with the “bling” Zott loves, some without, will be for sale, as will “Amy’s Angels” water bottles.
“We’re hoping that everyone comes and has a great time,” Zott said, adding that she personalized the water bottles herself as well as M&Ms party favors.
She said many people have been touched by pancreatic cancer, and how many have donated because of that tie.
“I know a lot of people are donating for me,” Zott said. “I’m fortunate to have such a great network of friends, and people who are willing to support this benefit.”
To learn more about the fundraiser, visit the “Amy’s Angels” page or Facebook, or go to FirstGiving.com and search for Amy Zott.
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