SACO — A benefit for the nonprofit organization The Purple Iris Foundation will take place in June at the Elks Lodge in Saco.

The benefit is held in honor of Tom Keith, who passed away last September after a battle with pancreatic cancer,. It will take place on Saturday, June 15 from 7 to 11 p.m. All proceeds will go to the Purple Iris Foundation, a nonprofit organization that raises awareness for and support patients of pancreatic cancer.

“(The benefit) will be a night to get together and remember Tommy,” Tom’s longtime girlfriend and benefit host Christie Cantara said. “He was an amazing human being and I want him to be remembered.”

Tom Keith graduated from Massabesic High School in 1986, and received a degree in engineering from the University of Maine Orono in 1990. He underwent a year-long battle with stage three pancreatic cancer before passing away last September.

Cantara said during his treatment, she stopped working to care for him full-time.

“To watch the love of your life go through something like that is terrible,” Cantara said. “Pancreatic cancer has the highest death rate because it doesn’t present itself until it’s in stage three or four.”

After Tom’s death, Cantara said she began researching organizations in Maine that support pancreatic cancer. In her research, she found the Purple Iris Foundation. The foundation was founded by Christina Parrish after her 18 month-battle with pancreatic cancer.  

“When I came home (from treatment) I realized there were no support services for pancreatic cancer in Maine,” Parrish said. “I knew I wanted to help others, and it’s been a journey.”

Since the foundation became a nonprofit in 2012, its members have hosted a multitude of events to support the cancer community.

“We hold online support groups on a monthly basis, outdoor events, and that’s just the tip of the iceberg,” Parrish said. “There’s so many other projects (that we do). We need people to have hope.”

Parrish said she’s always had a love for flowers, and the Purple Iris was the perfect fit for the foundation.

Parrish said the success of the Purple Iris Foundation has exceeded what she originally predicted.

“I sit back in awe of how I’ve had beautiful people in my life,” Parrish said. “I’m very grateful for the support from the community.”

The benefit in honor of Tom Keith will directly support the Purple Iris Foundation to assist the cancer community.

“We’re going to do everything we can to make the night a success,” said Parrish.