Courtesy photo

Jim, Porter and Jen Pixton

What are the chances that cancer would hit 50 percent of everyone in one family? Three members of one Alameda family of six: baby Porter (now age 4), Jim Pixton (the dad) and Jen Pixton (the mom) have all been diagnosed with cancer. Jen Pixton has just finished her chemotherapy treatments and now it is time to help raise some much needed money for this self-employed family to help them pay for ever-escalating medical expenses.

They need the community’s help to raise money for their insurance premiums.

Michaan’s Auctions By The Bay Theater at Alameda Point is featuring a bluegrass music festival Saturday, May 17, with The Bay Island Ramblers, The Kentucky Twisters, The Back Yard Party Boys and Dark Hollow.

Doors open and pre-show activities start at 5 p.m. including food, a bake sale and interactive kids games, with the concert beginning at 6 p.m.

All seats are general admission and can be purchased in advance by credit card by entering “Pixton Pickin’ Party” at www.brownpapertickets.com/event/32601 or at the door on the evening of the show. Adult tickets are (18+) $15; youth tickets (5-17) are $10, and children under 5 get in free (on lap).

Auctions By The Bay Theatre is located at 2700 Saratoga St. For directions to the theater, go to www.auctionsbythebay.com. Donations can be made to The Jen Pixton Cancer Fund, PO Box 6001, Alameda, CA 94501. Make checks payable to The Jen Pixton Cancer Fund.