Benefit to be held tonight

On Thursday, from 6 p.m. to midnight, there will be a benefit at Little Willie's for Susan Broughton, the manager of fiscal affairs for the School of Social Work.

Broughton was diagnosed with stage IV mucosal melanoma cancer and is faced with mounting medical expenses. The benefit will help raise funds for Broughton's upcoming surgeries and treatments.

Cassie Simon, an associate professor for the School of Social Work, said this is the second benefit given by the school. The first benefit was held last year for a doctoral student diagnosed with rectal cancer.

Simon said she was diagnosed with breast cancer and survived while working at University of Texas at Arlington. She said the faculty there also supported her.

UTA had a "sick pool" policy, in which, if a faculty member did not use his or her sick days, they were put into a pool so that, if someone got very ill, they could pull from that pool and still be able to receive paid leave, she said.

There is not a similar program at the University, and Simon said Broughton is facing many unpaid days missed of work.

"Susan's condition has brought to light a need for that kind of sick pool program," Simon said.

Broughton graduated from the University in 1991 and has been working at the Capstone for almost 15 years - nine of which were spent in the School of Social Work.

"I have the best job in the world, and I truly mean that. There is not a better place to work than the University of Alabama or the School of Social Work. I want to get better and give back to this wonderful place," Broughton said.

Vicky Carter, the president of Social Worker's Association for Cultural Awareness, worked closely with Broughton with her association's budget.

Carter said she and Broughton worked closely together, and she got to know her very well.

"Susan has always been very loving, always smiling and just a great person," Carter said. "She was always there to help me when I needed her."

Students, faculty members and staff at the School of Social Work have come together to support Broughton. They have set up a Friends of Susan Broughton bank account at the Alabama Credit Union. Students can go to the Alabama Credit Union in the Ferguson Center to request to leave a donation.

The tickets for the benefit at Little Willie's are $10 in advance and $15 at the door. Six bands will donate their time to play at the benefit, including Willie King and the Liberators, Debbie Bond and the Hot Tamales and more. Patrons must be 21 or older to enter.