Scituate — Scituate’s recent Heritage Days Celebration once again afforded Jack Conway, Realtor the opportunity to do some good. The $900 proceeds from the company’s annual sidewalk bake sale (the Conway Co. matched the $450 raised at the event) were donated to assist in the medical costs for 22-year-old Eric Donovan, a young cancer survivor who suffered injuries from a diving accident last year that left him a quadriplegic. Donovan is a 2006 graduate of Scituate High School, and the son of Scituate Fire Captain Mark Donovan.

Jack Conway Co. was a principal sponsor of the 2010 Heritage Days festivities, which featured amusement rides, live bands, and the wares of local craftsmen and artisans. Conway-Scituate Manager Elaine Bongarzone helped to organize the weekend event. “We look forward to Heritage Days as a time to gather together as a community, show off our beautiful town and raise some money for a good cause,” said Bongarzone, who is also president of the Scituate Chamber of Commerce. “Eric and his family came to mind immediately when we decided on a beneficiary of this year’s Conway bake sale. So many people and groups have rallied around Eric and will continue to do so as he battles this new health challenge.”

At age 15, Donovan was diagnosed with Ewings Sarcoma, a deadly childhood bone cancer, and after a long battle with the disease was declared cancer-free in 2009. Only a few weeks later, he dove into shallow water at the Spit in Scituate, and fractured three vertebrae in his neck, which left him paralyzed from the chest down.

According to Conway agent Mary Dean, a family friend, Donovan has made great strides in recovering from his injury, but more rehabilitation is needed at considerable out-of-pocket cost to his family. “Last month the ‘Friends of Eric Donovan’ group hosted a fundraiser at the House of Blues in Boston, and his uncle Michael has set up a Facebook group to support his nephew.

“This summer, the donations from the fundraiser and the Conway bake sale helped us to exceed our goals,” said Capt. Mark Donovan. “Every little bit will help Eric continue to work towards his goal of walking again. My son has gone through so much in his young lifetime, and he does it with a smile. He is an inspiration and a source of strength to everyone.”

The proceeds from last year’s Conway Country bake sale went to the Wellness Community-Massachusetts South Shore, a non-profit cancer support organization in Hanover.

Photo:

From left, Conway Scituate agent Mary Dean, Eric Donovan, Mark Donovan and Conway CEO Carol Bulman.

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