EAST LONGMEADOW — This November a local business is teaming up with a “Star Wars” actor to help raise funds for pediatric cancer research.
In 2019 while living in Seattle, the discovery that he had developed a rare form of testicular cancer took Brian Rushby, owner of RedFive Toys & Collectibles in East Longmeadow, by storm.
In the midst of multiple surgeries and a five year observation period, Rushby relocated back to New England with the new idea of opening a toy store.
RedFive opened in 2021 and Rushby said he is excited to be holding their first charity raffle for pediatric cancer with all proceeds going towards Voices Against Cancer. Voices Against Cancer is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that focuses on increasing awareness for childhood cancer, and funding for hospital pediatrics and pediatric cancer research.
As a cancer survivor, Rushby said that this charity is near and dear to his heart.
“Even from [RedFive’s] inception, I always wanted to do something for cancer charity,” Rushby said. “As the years have gone by, I’ve always focused on a way to do it.”
RedFive is a “very ‘Star Wars’ focused store,” according to Rushby, and this year they are raffling off a replica helmet for The Armorer signed by actress Emily Swallow. Swallow plays The Armorer in “The Mandalorian” and “The Book of Boba Fett.”
Rushby travels around the country for Comic Con, doing about 25 shows a year anywhere from Atlanta, Georgia, Chicago, Illinois, or Bangor, Maine, which allows him to collaborate with “Star Wars” actors in store events.
“Emily is very involved with cancer charities,” Rushby said. “I started to have discussions with her about a year ago about doing a charity.”
Rushby and Swallow originally planned on doing an in-store meet and greet but scheduling conflicts made it difficult. Still determined to make it work, Rushby met with Swallow instead for a signed replica helmet.
“This seems like a good blending of ‘Star Wars’ fandom and charity,” Rushby said. “It plays well with our store and speaks to our customers.”
What Rushby loves doing most about these events is giving his customers an experience they might not have had otherwise.
“It’s not every day you get to run into a ‘Star War’ actor or actress in East Longmeadow,” Rushby said. “When we’re able to bring a certain experience their way, whether it be an in-store experience or a signed prop, it brings them joy.”
What makes this event special in particular is Rushby and his family’s experience with battling cancer and being able to raise money for the cause.
“We lived it,” Rushby said. “Cancer has really hit home so anything I can do or we can do to help find a cure for that means a lot to our family.”
Rushby is already working towards lining up a few more with celebrities. Raffle tickets are $5 and can be purchased either in-store or online.
It runs until Nov. 30 with the winner picked on Dec. 1.
RedFive Toys and Collectibles is located at 55 Maple St.
