Love triumphs at annual Cancer Can’t Kill Love benefit concert

The Second Annual Cancer Can’t Kill Love Benefit Concert, organized by The Home Reporter’s own Meaghan McGoldrick and dedicated to her late parents, Joanne and John Patrick “Butch” McGoldrick, was a resounding success thanks to the help of friends, family and Bay Ridgeites. The fundraiser was held at The Leif Bar, 6725 Fifth Avenue, on Sunday, October 12.

“The benefit couldn’t have gone better. The amount of love in the Leif far exceeded the number of people, which was truly heartwarming,” said McGoldrick.  “I was completely floored by the amount of people who came out to show their love, and their gratitude for an event of this kind. Cancer has touched just about everybody in one way or another, and to have so many people together under one roof, finishing the fight together, felt phenomenal.”

McGoldrick’s father Butch died in August of 2008 from Mesothelioma – a type of lung cancer brought on by his work at Ground Zero. Her mother, Joanne, succumbed to Acute Myeloid Leukemia on October 9, 2013.

Several attendees made sizable donations, with the proceeds going to Stand Up To Cancer. According to McGoldrick, the generosity of attendees exceeded her expectations, as they made their goal in record time. “We set a goal of $5,000 and by 7 p.m., we broke it. We capped the night at over $6,000 and donations are still coming in online,” she said.

The benefit more than doubled what was collected last year, with attendance being considerably higher as well. In addition, the evening pulled in over $800 in raffles alone, with the 50/50 winner giving it back to the cause.

In addition to remembering McGoldrick’s parents, friends and family were treated to musical performances by local bands such as Tim and Tom, Paraiso, Whiskey Dingo, Charlie Fishercat, royGbiv, and August on Sunday. “The bands rocked the house. There was always somebody on the dance floor, just letting loose and having a good time,” she said.

McGoldrick was grateful for  all the help she received to organize such an event. “I want to thank every friend, family member and complete stranger who stopped by that Sunday because, not only many of them give a lot of money, but all of them gave a whole lot of love,” she said. “I also want to thank the Leif for hosting the benefit as my parents were regulars there and it only felt right to bring it back to where it all began.”

McGoldrick was especially thankful for the help of Gerard Sullivan, the drummer of August on Sunday, who performed three times throughout the night. “He helped keep my head on straight throughout this whole thing.” Another friend Steven James also continued to raise money this past weekend through a telethon on his radio show, The Steven James Experience.

“Without you I’d be in pieces, spending most of my time wondering why things have happened, and why two kind-hearted human beings were handed the worst deck of cards imaginable,” McGoldrick said to her friends. “You could feel my parents’ presence in the room. They were there, and they were smiling.”

To make a donation, go to http://bit.ly/1y1WM1t.