Spaghetti Dinner Raises Money for Robin Hannigan

So much can change in just a few short months.

Last December, Robin Hannigan was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer, just a few months after a mammogram revealed nothing.

Since then, the 20-year employee of the bakery department at the hasn't been able to work as she entered treatment. Chemotherapy made her so ill that her surgery had to be delayed until April, when more cancer was found. She had to go back on chemotherapy, which has been just as rough as the first time.

Because Hannigan is unable to work, she's had to pay for COBRA insurance, which costs about $400 a month, said Giant Eagle bakery colleague Rhonda Moretz. Between that, no work income coming in, a roof in need of repair and daily expenses, money has become tight.

Her co-workers have rallied to help her over these last 10 months and, Thursday night, held a spaghetti fundraiser at .

More than $1,800 was raised as more than 100 people showed up. There were also gift basket and 50/50 raffles.

"That's three months of COBRA payments, and money towards food or fixing her house," Moretz said.

The crowd was made up of Giant Eagle co-workers, customers, friends and members of the Avon Baptist Church choir, who were rehearsing that evening.

"I knew we'd get a good turnout, but this is more than I expected," Moretz said. "This is awesome."

Hannigan was unable to attend the fundraiser. But she was on the minds of everyone there.

"I miss her," said co-worker Rachel Opheim.

Hannigan's co-workers have also supplied food for her four dogs while she's been ill.

This support shows how caring the store's employees are, said co-worker Colleen Burton.

"Some people might think different departments are separate and don't know each other, but it's not like that," Burton said. "Each store is one team. It's a family environment."

If you weren't able to make the spaghetti dinner, but still want to help, you can send donations care of the bakery department of the Avon Lake Giant Eagle, 31990 Walker Road, Avon Lake, 44012.