Inspired by a former classmate's battle against cancer, Hilliard Davidson High School graduate Brian Shesky has organized a benefit to raise funds for cancer research.

Shesky said he became interested after his friend, Ryan Parker, a former Davidson High School athlete, was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma.

"Both of us graduated from Hilliard Davidson High School in 2001," Shesky said. "Ryan was a 4.0 student and a three-sport varsity athlete. He won an athletic scholarship to play baseball at Indiana. I can honestly say he is one of the best people I have ever met. He didn't drink, smoke or do drugs. He was a true role model to the community."

Parker was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma during his junior year at Indiana University. After chemotherapy, his disease went into remission.

Within the past year, the cancer came back. Parker has undergone a stem cell transplant and is battling the disease again.

To honor Parker, Shesky organized a team to participate in the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Team in Training fundraiser. The team will compete in the Lavaman Triathlon in Hawaii on March 27.

"Our goal is to raise $60,000 for cancer research," Shesky said. "Our main fundraising event is a dinner and a silent auction."

That event will take place Feb. 27 at the Holiday Inn on Lane Avenue adjacent to the Ohio State University campus. Former OSU and NFL football great Chris Spielman has agreed to serve as the speaker for the event.

Tickets are $50 each and include a steak dinner. The silent auction begins at 6 p.m., followed by the dinner and party, which are scheduled to wrap up at 10 p.m. All proceeds after expenses will benefit cancer research.

For more information, call Shesky at (614) 638-4006 or send ane-mailto no2cancer@gmail.com.

jdonahue@thisweeknews.com