Painter hosts benefit for Austintown man
By Sean Barron
YOUNGSTOWN
Christie Galazia was upset when she learned that a major cable channel that aired Ed Port’s story not only failed to compensate him for his appearance, but that it resulted in a significant decrease in donations to help with his mounting medical bills.
“I feel like he didn’t ask for this,” the Youngstown artist said, referring to Port’s having been born with neurofibromatosis, a rare genetic disorder in which tumors that are usually noncancerous form on nerve tissue. “It’s not his fault.”
So, rather than yielding to frustration, Galazia hosted a fundraiser.
To that end, Galazia lead Sunday’s Intoxipainted event at Suzie’s Dogs & Drafts, 34 N. Phelps St., downtown.
Under her instruction, 25 people spent about 90 minutes painting dark, serene winter landscapes with birch trees. Participants paid $30 each for the class, $10 of which will go toward helping Port defray part of the $40,000 he estimates he owes in medical bills for eight facial surgeries he’s undergone in the last four years.
During his second operation in Chicago, the 45-year-old Austintown man was featured on the TLC program “My Giant Face Tumor.” Nevertheless, he was not paid for the appearance, and his bills continued to increase.
That did not sit well with Galazia, who recalled having met Port when both were vendors at last fall’s Octoberfestival in Boardman Park. Port shared some of his story and his need for donations, and it wasn’t long before Galazia was on board, she said.
Among those happy to help him during Sunday’s event was Dan Skebo of Youngstown, who works for McHenry Industries Inc. of Youngstown.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve painted, but I figured I’d support Ed,” Skebo said, adding that he’s enjoyed art since childhood and has taken art and graphic-design classes.
Since the TLC program aired, many people assumed the network had taken care of nearly all of Port’s expenses. Consequently, donations dropped off considerably, Skebo continued, calling the situation “a raw deal.”
Also glad to put her artistic abilities to work was his mother, Mary Jo Skebo of Youngstown.
Mary Jo said that she knew little about Port’s situation and story, but wanted to assist Galazia with the effort and do something positive on his behalf.
For his part, Port, who also works for InfoCision, was selling a variety of his handmade items during Sunday’s gathering. They included scented and unscented soaps for $7 a bar, several types of lotions for $12 per bottle, face masks to help exfoliate women’s skin, bath salts, candles and candle melts, hand sanitizer and “bath bombs,” which are small bath items made from natural oils, salts and baking soda.
“They take your worries away,” he said, chuckling.
The merchandise is a major part of Aphrodites Botanicals, a business Port started about a year ago to raise money for his medical expenses.
Port also recalled sitting at his computer on a spring day with his window open and enjoying various flower fragrances that wafted in. In addition, he remembered reading online about a woman who in two years went from being in dire financial straits to making $100,000 a year selling soaps. Both inspired the name of his business, he continued.
Port also expressed his gratitude toward those who dabbed in watercolors for Sunday’s class to help him.
“I’m very glad people came out and got together to help,” he said. “It’s a nice feeling that people in the community are exploring their artistic abilities and helping me at the same time.”
To order Port’s merchandise or to make a donation, call him at 234-855-9717.