Published: October 15, 2008 10:45 am         

Wrestlers to raise funds for cancer research

When Jeremy Parson’s mother, Lisa, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, he decided he had to do something to try to help.

“I figured, why not do what I know,” Parsons said.

And what he knows is wrestling.

Parsons has been a pro wrestling referee on the independent circuit since 1997, and he currently works twice a month for NWA-Underground, which runs shows in Union, Mich., and Bourbon, Ind.

Parsons came up with the idea to promote his own wrestling show — Michiana Championship Wrestling — with proceeds going to PanCAN, the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, and also to offset his mother’s medical bills.

His mother’s cancer required major surgery on Sept. 19.

Parsons named the Nov. 8 benefit event “Wrestling For a Cure.” The main event is a 20-man “Battle Royal to the Crown,” which will end in the first Michiana heavyweight championship.

There will also be nine more big matches featuring the top wrestlers from the NWA-Underground and Michiana Championship Wrestling, including Hardcore Harry, Erico, Mr. Smiley, Halloween, Jamie Eternal, Kenny Kage, “Old Timer” Jeff King, Josh Raymond, who was on the MTV show “Wrestling Society X,” and many more.

Parsons said turning his idea for a benefit into reality was no easy feat.

“I’d be lying if I said this was a simple process, because it hasn’t been,” he said.

When efforts to get a building donated did not pan out, he found one within his budget at the Elkhart County 4-H Fairgrounds at the Sheep and Swine Arena. Then everything else began to fall into place.

“I got volunteers to help out, businesses to donate raffle prizes, tickets sold, and talent who agreed to show up. This is my first attempt at promoting a show, and based on the reasons behind the show, I hope to see a very large crowd show up,” Parsons said.

He said he was inspired to host the show because of his mother’s illness, but also because cancer has touched his life several times in the past decade.

He and his wife lost five family members to cancer during that period and his grandmother and aunt — both now in remission — fought breast cancer.

“Rather than standing by and watching another loved one suffer through the pain of the cancer and then the recovery/treatment process, I decided to take a stand,” Parsons said of his idea to host a wrestling show.