Every year, the union performers in the Portland SAG-AFTRA local gather at the Lake Theater in Lake Oswego to watch their union’s televised annual awards event. This year, the event is open to all local union members and supporters, and is doubling as a fundraiser for local SAG-AFTRA president Robert Blanche, who’s fighting for his life after a double lung transplant.
Blanche, 56, has been a television actor since 1994, frequently playing law enforcement officers in TV crime dramas, like Sergeant Franco on NBC’s Grimm. In 2011, he was diagnosed with hypersensitivity pneumonitis, an inflammation in the lungs. In August, he received a double lung transplant, but he’s still struggling to overcome complications from the procedure. Blanche is a father of five, including two small children, and has been unable to work because of his medical condition. Friends and coworkers in SAG-AFTRA have raised over $35,000 to support his family, but with Blanche having spent over four months in the hospital, the funds are spent and his family is in need of further help. Supporters hope to raise another $30,000 through this fundraising drive.
They’ll raise funds with event tickets ($25 for union members, hors d’oeuvres and a drink ticket included), a silent auction, and a raffle. Prizes will include season passes to Portland Center Stage and possibly visits to film and television production sets. The fundraiser will run through Valentine’s Day.
Mary McDonald-Lewis, a voice actor and member of SAG-AFTRA’s national board, described Blanche as a beloved figure within the local union: “He’s always been an ambassador for SAG-AFTRA, and mentored young actors as they became ready to join.”
SAG-AFTRA members nominate and select the winners of the Screen Actors Guild Awards, which honor SAG-AFTRA members for outstanding individual, cast and ensemble performances on both film and television. The award ceremony will be broadcast live on TNT and TBS at 5 p.m. Pacific Time Jan. 27. [See this year’s nominees here.]
[GIVE: At Robert Blanche’s campaign page at the National Foundation for Transplants, you can contribute directly — and find out more about the campaign.]
Event Details
- WHEN: Sunday, Jan. 27, 5 to 8 p.m. (doors open at 4:30 p.m.)
- WHERE: Lake Theater and Cafe, 106 N State St, Lake Oswego, Oregon
- ADMISSION: $25 for union members, $30 for all others (hors d’oeuvres and a drink ticket included)
- RSVP: [email protected]
The Portland Local SAG-AFTRA thanks NW Labor Press for its support of our Local’s president, Robert Blanche. Robert has always been a staunch union supporter of SAG-AFTRA, all entertainment unions, the AFL-CIO and any union operating for the working woman and man. On the fundraising campaign page you’ll see that initially $36K was raised; this helped Robert and his family from August through December of this years. But after 4 months in ICU and a February release at the earliest, these funds are completely gone. We are building from 0 once again, with a goal of $30K to help Robert, Christine (another union member!) and their two very young children. We hope all union members who can help will — there is power in the collective! Thanks once more, and the best of New Years to NW Labor Press and all Oregon union members!
Thanks Northwest Labor Press for getting the word out to help our Brother Robert and family!!