Drag queen bingo fundraiser in Brackenridge benefits Creighton man who recently beat cancer

A drag queen bingo event held at the Brackenridge American Legion on Saturday raised money for a local man who recently beat cancer.

Kevin Coudriet, of Creighton, East Deer said he was diagnosed with small cell lung cancer in early April.

Two Mondays ago, he learned he had beaten it.

Saturday’s drag queen bingo fundraiser aimed to help pay for his medical bills and other day-to-day expenses, his wife, Constance Coudriet said.

“There’s a lot of gratitude in my heart right now,” Kevin said.

Throughout his fight with cancer, Coudriet said, friends, family and strangers have offered to support him and his family.

“When I felt like giving up, I didn’t. I knew somebody out there cares,” he said. “That’s what pulled me through. The support has been just outpouring, unbelievable.”

The drag queen bingo event drew between 100 and 150 people. Drag queens with Miss Thea’s Drag Queen Bingo danced between rounds of bingo. The fundraiser also offered food and a basket raffle.

“It’s a good way to raise some money,” said Constance Coudriet. “I’m a bingo lover.”

The idea for drag queen bingo came from a family friend, Roxann Zbryski of Arnold.

“It’s fun and very enjoyable,” said Zbryski, who had participated in similar events before. “It’s for a good cause and people love it.”

She said she was happy to see the turnout, and excited for the opportunity to help a friend in need. Zbryski helped organize the event, cooked some of the food and assembled baskets to be raffled.

“I’m here to help, because in the long run, you never know what will happen, and I might need somebody to help me,” she said.

Hailey Hohman, of Natrona Heights, said she was friends with the family. She said she wanted to attend the fundraiser to show her support — and play bingo for the first time.

“I love it,” she said. “It’s nice to see everyone from the community come together.”

Alesha McConville, of Natrona, was there with her husband, Brett. She said she enjoyed drag queen bingo, and had been to about five similar events before.

“The show they put on is amazing,” she said.

Cody Nagle, one of the drag queen performers who goes by “Blewberry Spice,” said he’s been doing drag for nearly five years. His first experience was at Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School.

“I love the makeup,” Nagle said. “I love putting on a face.”

About four years ago, he joined Miss Thea’s Drag Queen Bingo.

“All of our events are charity-based,” Nagle said. “We’ll come and help raise money for them.”

The performers make most of their money from tips, he said. Most of the money stays with the person or organization hosting the fundraiser.

“We like to have some fun, involve you in the show,” Nagle said.

He was one of four performers at Saturday’s event.

Darlene Tuck drove from Cleveland to help with the event. She heads a nonprofit called I Support an Angel, which helps cancer patients in honor of her sister and aunt, who are cancer survivors.

“We wanted to help out,” Tuck said. “It means a lot just to see Kevin smile.”

Coudriet said he was thankful for everyone who volunteered with the event, and everyone who participated.

His road to recovery will include chest scans every three months for the next year to ensure the cancer stays in remission. After that, he’ll get one scan per year.

“The doctor is very confident that it is gone,” he said.