Scene supporter gets support from the scene

Within five minutes of talking to Amanda McCabe, you realize that she is a person willing to do anything for a friend. And that is why her friends and the area music community are ready to do everything for her.

A benefit concert for McCabe will take place Saturday at Sluggo’s Vegetarian Restaurant, 101 S. Jefferson St. Embracing her nickname, “Amanda Panda,” the flier for the concert depicts a panda bear undergoing surgery.

“Originally, my dad gave it to me when I was young,” said McCabe of the nickname. “I love the flier. It was really cute. I think it’s amazing.”

The flier was made by Bob Cross, molecular virologist and bassist for Emerald Coast Murderers, one of the bands performing Saturday. Cross, who was drawn to McCabe’s dedication to the music scene, contacted several of McCabe’s friends to organize the event.

“She got pretty heavily involved in supporting and promoting Pensacola acts,” Cross said of McCabe, who not only promoted artists, but also created CD artwork for musicians. “She was big into promotion even when she was in San Francisco. To me, that’s somebody who is really a big supporter of the independent musician. There are not a lot of people like that.

“There are a lot of bands out there and people who want to be in bands, but the people, promoters and advocates for independent music are kind of a rarity. So when you find those people, you want to be able to support them. When I found out about her getting sick, I said, ‘If we can do anything to get her back in the ring, we will.’ ”

McCabe’s fight began with her battle with scoliosis.

“I have had it most of my life, but it’s never caused me any problems until recently,” McCabe said, “and I’m not entirely sure what is causing all of the pain.”

McCabe has seen nine doctors in the past two years as the pain has increased and affected her work.

“It’s a combination of factors causing the situation I’m in right now,” she said.

McCabe is struggling against chronic pain created by disk, nerve and muscle problems, and bone spurs.

But even as she lives in constant physical pain, McCabe overflows with love and admiration for the people who have given support.

“I’ve been living in a place where you have to fight the good fight every day,” McCabe said. “I’m really so overwhelmed by the kindness and generosity that people have shown me.”

McCabe is in need of a nerve block, a costly injection given for temporary pain relief, followed by a diagnosis that will hopefully specify the treatment needed to help the condition.

For more information on the foundation organized for McCabe’s medical treatment, go to www.savetheamanda.blogspot.com

The show starts at 9 p.m. and features Thorazine, Fumes, Roman Gabriel Todd and Emerald Coast Murders. The cover is a $5 donation.