b'2022 13Mie HoeTRADITIONSfo AhlieFor more than 14Sadly, AshlieInspired by Ashlies love of music, on years, Ashlie Hooperdied onSeptember 18, 2021, Mike organized lived with breastOctober 22,a celebration of life for her at the Bank cancer. The fact2020, leavingof New Hampshire Stage in downtown that the ConcordMike, their twoConcord. The highlight of the night resident was able toteenage boys,was a fundraising concert by one of receive treatment atZachary andAshlies favorite bands, The Samples. the Payson CenterMatthew, andShe discovered the Colorado-based for Cancer Care,an extendedband when she was living in the state only 10 minutesnetwork ofafter college. Colorado is also where she from her home andfamily andand Mike met in the just as close to herfriends. Shemid-1990s.work as an Assistantwas an amazingOn August 27, Merrimack Countymom, a2022, Mike invited Attorney, made allwonderful wife,friends and family to the diff erence in her quality of life. a fantastic coworker, a good friend,gather at Wind Hill It was hugely important that theand a big part of the community, MikeFarm in Loudon for another evening Payson Center was right in ouradds. Its a great loss. of live music, this time supplied by the backyard, says her husband, MikeFor years, the Hooper family and a teamband Farm to Table. The two events Hooper. Ashlie worked in downtownof Hoopers Troopers participated inhave raised more than $16,000 for Concord, so she literally was ableConcord Hospital Trusts Annual Rockthe Lend Me a Hand Fund, something to stop at the Hospital, go to herN Race to raise money for supportMike believes would have made Ashlie appointments and treatments, andservices for people with cancer andsmile. He is proud of raising money in then go back to work or home. Ittheir loved ones. Ashlie cared abouthis wifes name, and is pleased that the off ered a ton of fl exibility, whichothers, Mike says. For all she wentproceeds will go a long way toward allowed her to live a normal life whilethrough and all the treatment shehelping others. As for whats next, Mike she was dealing with her cancer.received locally, it seems like its almostis planning the Feel Good Fest for the During her treatment, Ashlie formedmy duty to try to help others.fall of 2023, and anticipates that there strong bonds with many at theAs a way to honor his wifes memory,will be more fundraising concerts in Hospitals Payson Center for CancerMike already has arranged twothe future.Care, including her oncologist, Dr.fundraising events of his own toLife is challenging and then you Frederick Briccetti, registered dietitiansupport the Payson Centers Lend Methrow cancer into that, he says. Im nutritionist, Megan Ryder, anda HandFund. Established in 2004, thenot able to help Ashlie anymore, but I countless other providers and supportFundhas assisted hundreds of cancercan still help other people here in our staff . For 14 and a half years, she waspatients with out-of-pocket expenses,community, in her good name. I know going there on a pretty regular basis,from food to transportation to yogashe would like that, just helping Mike says. She got to know everyone. classesand anything in between.people live life.'