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DARIEN, Conn. The Depot in Darien was packed with people listening to music, enjoying food, getting their faces painted and bidding on art and other goods in celebration of Jamie Buchanan's four years of being cancer free. Buchanan put together the "Celebration of Life" event as a way to bring friends, family and neighbors together to raise money for the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults.
"I love it," Buchanan said as she rushed around to say hello to everyone who had come out to check out her art and congratulate her on beating cancer. "I think it's going really well. A lot of people showed up."
When people were taking a break from snacking on hot dogs or listening to the DJ outside, they could bid on items at the silent auction. Buchanan sold a lot of her art, which features brightly colored drawings and paintings that blend designs with inspiring quotes. She got involved with art while she was in the hospital with brain cancer as a way of healing.
"I never saw that artistic side of her until she was sick," said Jamie's sister, Kelsey. "It's great that she's using it to help other people. She's amazing. She never let the cancer push her back."
The auction also featured donated items such as jewelry, gift baskets, popcorn makers, food processors and artwork by Natasha Streitz, a local glass blower. Streitz, who is friends with Buchanan, has been blowing glass for three years and creates lamps and vases with colorful flower and leaf designs.
Buchanan's mother Andrea was pleased at the turnout, adding that people she hasn't seen in years showed up to support her daughter and help young adults with cancer.
Andrea was also proud that her daughter came back from cancer and devoted herself to such an event. "She has worked so hard to help other people who are in the same situation that she was. It's admirable. She's put so much of herself into this."
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