Another exciting season of fundraising events from Summit Health Cares (SHC), the charitable foundation arm of Summit Health, is kicking off the 2024 holiday season with a bang! The highly anticipated event, Broadway Rocks Cancer, will once again be showcased at the Tower Theatre on Friday, December 13 at 7 p.m. This incredible night of entertainment will include live music, show tunes and dance numbers from award-winning Broadway musicals. This year’s talent includes, Carly Hughes (The Book of Mormon), Colin Hanlon (Falsettos), Sylvia MacCalla (Hairspray), Alex Ellis (Catch Me if You Can), Justin Showell (Hamilton), Natalie Joy Johnson (Kinky Boots), Austin Phillips (The Sound of Music), Danny Quadrino (Wicked), Michael Fatica (Matilda), Grasan Kingsberry (Dirty Rotten Scoundrels) and Sean Montgomery (The Music Man).
Proceeds from Broadway Rocks Cancer and other local events enable SHC to fulfill their mission of helping people in underserved communities in Oregon gain access to essential medical, educational, and social services.
Joe Finocchiaro, Executive Director of Summit Health Cares, works with a group of passionate, hardworking people, making huge impacts in Summit Health’s communities across Oregon, New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut.
“Creativity and deep community partnerships go hand-in-hand when it comes to growing an organization. I’m really proud of the work I’ve done with our amazing team at Summit Health Cares and feel fortunate to be a part of such a dynamic, forward-thinking organization,” remarks Finocchiaro.
SHC’s Broadway Rocks Cancer event began as a fundraiser for the Cancer Comfort Project, which offers programs to help patients and their families maintain their emotional, physical and spiritual well-being throughout their treatment. “Research shows this increases quality of life and their chances of survival, so it’s an event that we care deeply about,” Finocchiaro explains.
Services include stress reducing Reiki massage treatments, pet therapy five days a week and personalized ‘Resource Navigation’ services. Other assistance includes patient-in-need grants to help with critical, non-medical expenses, like rent, utilities, groceries, childcare, nutritional supplements and a ‘comfort cart’ filled with blankets, socks, snacks, and items to help people pass the time during treatment.
This year, the funds raised at Broadway Rocks Cancer will go beyond supporting cancer programming. Proceeds will also help support SHC’s other programs, including a sun safety program that works to educate people of all ages about how to enjoy the sun safely, community drives offering backpacks and mittens for Oregonians in need, as well as diapers and feminine hygiene products to ensure people have access to vital hygiene products.
“We are so thankful for the support we have in Bend. We hope that people who come out to celebrate at Broadway Rocks Cancer will not only have a fantastic time, but they’ll also know that they’re helping make a positive difference in someone’s life. That’s what the holidays are all about!” states Finocchiaro.
SH-Cares.org
TowerTheatre.org
"We hope that people who come out to celebrate at Broadway Rocks Cancer will not only have a fantastic time, but they’ll also know that they’re helping make a positive difference in someone’s life."
—Joe Finocchiaro, Executive Director of Summit Health Cares