Boyz II Men, four-time Grammy award winners, recently performed a benefit concert at the Germantown Performing Arts Center to honor the memory of Janice “Jan” Kleiner-Hooper and to raise awareness for ovarian cancer.
Kleiner-Hooper was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 1985 and fought a 16-month battle with this disease. she was adored, loved and admired by everyone who knew her. the determination and strength she showed throughout her life and especially during her last year had a tremendous effect on her friends, family and especially her two daughters, Nancy Hooper-Wright of Arlington, and Debbie Hooper-Roice of Kent, Wash., and her sister Cheryl Leedom of Escondido, Calif.
Unfortunately, symptoms for this disease are vague, making it difficult for early detection. Increasing awareness about this disease is top priority for the Ovarian Cancer Awareness Foundation of Memphis. For more information, visit ocafoundation.org.
Todd Hutchison, president of Hutch Entertainment, and Tracy Beaver, owner of Beaver Maintenance and Construction, produced this event. they put together a show for the community with leaders from our community. Xavier Henry of the Memphis Grizzlies emceed the night; “American Idol” alumna Alexis Grace opened the concert; the Memphis mayor’s office presented Boyz II Men with the keys to city and a proclamation announcing Oct. 13 as Boyz II Men Day.
“This event was a humbling experience for me and my aunt. it meant so much to us that so many supported this concert. Looking back, it was a tough struggle to be 15 years old and lose my mother,” said Hooper-Wright. “However, because my Aunt Cherie, sister and I watched our mom struggle with this disease with such courage and grace, we are stronger women today. it took 22 years to do something worthy of her memory and, as my aunt said, ‘We know she was dancing in the aisles with us that night.’”