The Heart of Northeast Ohio’s Music Scene, Michele DeFrasia Is Fighting Pancreatic Cancer — Let’s Fight With Her.

Dear friends of the Northeast Ohio music community and beyond,

It is with an incredibly heavy heart that we share that our dear friend Michele DeFrasia is facing the fight of her life — an uphill battle with pancreatic cancer.

For more than three decades, Michele has been the heartbeat of so many of our musical journeys. As the ever-smiling, hard-driving owner and manager of the Phantasy Entertainment Complex in Lakewood, she created far more than a venue — she built a home. Through the Phantasy Nite Club, Phantasy Theater, Symposium, and Chamber, she opened doors for local dreamers and welcomed national and international alternative, goth, industrial, punk, rock, reggae, salsa and metal acts to our corner of the world.

Michele was the driving force behind it all. She gave countless bands their first real stage, their first real crowd, their first belief that maybe — just maybe — this dream could work. She championed creative spirits, fostered underground culture, and helped launch careers that would go on to reach international audiences. So many of us owe a piece of our story to her faith, her grit, and her tireless dedication.

Now Michele needs us.

Cancer does not fight fair. The physical, emotional, and financial toll of pancreatic cancer is immense. As Michele focuses her strength on treatment and healing, we have an opportunity — and a responsibility — to lift her up the way she lifted all of us for so many years.

If you have ever played her stage, stood in her crowd, discovered your favorite band under her roof, or simply felt accepted within those walls, we ask you to give what you can. No donation is too small. Every contribution helps ease the burden of medical expenses and allows Michele to focus on what matters most: fighting and healing.

Let’s come together as the community she built – and loves. Let’s show her that the love, loyalty, and passion she poured into Northeast Ohio’s music scene comes back tenfold.

Please donate,share this page, and keep Michele in your thoughts and prayers. It’s our turn to give her the support and leg up she so generously gave to us.

With love, gratitude, and hope.

We Stand with Michele Committee,

Catherine DeFrasia · Diane DeFrasia · John DeFrasia · Maggie DeFrasia · Denise Hurd · Shannon Dolan · Tom Lash · Sandi Rennillo · Mark O’Shea · Alice Dickson · Jack Snyder · Michelle Snyder · Sean Beavan · Juliette Beavan · Bill Peters · Larry Szyms