Enjoy the big game, fight cancer

On Jan. 7, Cornelius will have a place to watch the BCS National Championship game, cheer on the Crimson Tide with fellow fans, have some excellent food and drinks and help cure cancer, all at the same time.

Starting at 6 p.m., you can eat, drink and yell “Roll Tide” at Harvey’s in Cornelius, 19707 Liverpool Parkway, and benefit the Levine Cancer Institute. You can even wear houndstooth and crimson, if you want.

Money raised that night will go to LCI, specifically to the Mark Daidone Cancer Research Foundation, created to fund research of early-stage cancer. My husband, Mark, died in June 2011 after being diagnosed with cancer almost five years before, and the LCI doctors helped Mark have those five years of attending and watching Alabama football games.

Mark and I met when we both attended the University of Alabama

Co-owner of Harvey’s, Charlie Dyer, was happy to sponsor this event. “Anytime we can put something together that’s a lot of fun, bring people in and is for a cause that we believe in, we’re happy to do it,” Dyer said.

“We also like to support local causes, those we can see the benefits of. We can see direct impact. ... There are no layers of bureaucracy. ... The local people know what they’re getting involved with.”

Harvey’s is a restaurant, not a sports bar, so bring the family, come early to eat dinner and then stay to watch the game at 8:30 p.m. Or just come later and watch the game. The restaurant will have specials on domestic and draft beer, wings and crimson shots. Patrons that night can donate to LCI by cash or check, or the server can add a donation amount to the check. The owners of Harvey’s also will donate a percentage of the night’s sales to the Levine Cancer Institute.

Besides the great food, drinks and game, there will be a raffle for Alabama fan merchandise and a Harvey’s gift card donated by the restaurant.

A Harvey’s employee also will sell handmade red or gold headbands to benefit Headbands of Hope. For every headband purchased that night, one will be given to a girl with cancer, and $1 will be donated to the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, supporting cures for childhood cancers.

For info on the fundraiser, go to the Harvey’s in Cornelius page on Facebook. To donate before the event or for more info on the Foundation, search “Mark Daidone Cancer Research” online.

Dyer wanted to assure Notre Dame fans that they are welcome as well.

Being an Alabama alum, I can only add: “Roll Tide.”