Today, on what would have been the 42nd birthday of beloved saxophonist James Casey, who passed away from early onset colon cancer in 2023, his wife Ayla Casey has announced the inaugural James Casey Birthday Benefit auction and screening drive.
Created in partnership with the Association of Black Gastroenterologists and Hepatologists (ABGH), who became one of James Casey’s closest allies during his two-year battle with colorectal cancer, the auction will take place virtually on February 25th through March 2nd. Items include a custom guitar signed by Dave Matthews; special VIP packages from Trey Anastasio, The String Cheese Incident, and The Disco Biscuits; a signed copy of Bill Kreutzmann‘s biography, Deal: My Three Decades of Drumming, Dreams, and Drugs with the Grateful Dead; original artwork by DMB saxophonist Jeff Coffin; and a drumhead signed by Phil Lesh, James Casey, and other Phil Lesh & Friends band members during their sold-out December 2022 shows at The Warfield in San Francisco. Proceeds will support colorectal cancer screening services for uninsured individuals via Fight Colorectal Cancer (Fight CRC), an organization dedicated to helping ensure more people have access to early detection methods.
At the end of the auction, which coincides with the start of Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, ABGH will host a virtual webinar and screening drive in honor of James Casey’s life and legacy on Sunday, March 2nd. Dubbed “Your Health, Your Voice: Knowing the Signs of Colorectal Cancer and Taking Action,” the event will include a dialogue focused on colorectal cancer trends and risks, especially among young people, featuring expert gut health physicians and some of James Casey’s friends and fellow artists including The Late Show with Stephen Colbert bandleader Louis Cato and Jennifer Jones, the first black Radio City Music Hall Rockette and colorectal cancer survivor who appeared in James Casey’s “New Bloom” music video. The discussion will cover early screening options and other resources, plus an interactive Q&A. The webinar is free and open to the public. Attendees can submit questions for the panel anonymously upon registration.
“Because colon cancer is almost always treatable when caught early, James shared his story in hopes that others might avoid his fate,” Ayla Casey shared. “Thank you all for the continued support you’ve shown for James and this mission. We hope this initiative will make a positive impact on our community and amplify James’ message as we celebrate his life, music and legacy.”
ABGH President and Co-Founder Dr. Sophie Balzora, who worked closely with James Casey throughout his cancer battle, added, “ABGH is grateful for the support of Fight CRC, Olympus, and Ayla Casey for helping to spread awareness about this incredible event, and their tireless work in the fight against this disease that is preventable, beatable, and treatable for so many.”
Find a full inventory list for the James Casey Birthday Benefit auction and place your bids here. RSVP to attend the webinar here.
