This story originally appeared in The Centre County Gazette.
Break out the neon, the shoulder pads and the Aqua Net as the “Rock the ’80s” concert is back, and beneath the costumes and crowd-pleasing riffs is a serious mission: helping local cancer patients afford basic living expenses while they focus on treatment and recovery.
The annual benefit concert, now in its 14th year, returns Friday, Feb. 21, at 7 p.m. at The State Theatre, bringing with it big hair, big sound and an even bigger purpose.
That purpose is to raise money for the Bob Perks Fund, a local nonprofit that has quietly become a lifeline for thousands of cancer patients across Central Pennsylvania.
“This is our 20th year as an organization, which is pretty amazing,” said Cindy Brown, executive director of the Bob Perks Fund. “We’re really excited to be able to celebrate that and Rock the 80s has become such a big part of what we do.”
The Bob Perks Fund was founded in 2006 following the death of Bob Perks, a State College native who played a key role in launching Penn State’s Coaches vs. Cancer chapter before losing his own battle with cancer. In the wake of his passing, his wife Doreen, along with friends and family, created the fund to help others facing similar fights.
Since then, the organization has provided more than $3.4 million in direct financial assistance to approximately 5,500 cancer patients across the region.
“That’s all because of community support,” Brown said. “Every dollar we give out is a dollar we raise.”
“Rock the ’80s” began in 2012 to combine music, community and fundraising, and it has grown into one of the Bob Perks Fund’s signature events. In the past 13 years, the concert has raised more than $191,000 to support local patients.
This year’s show features a lineup of familiar local talent, including The Insomniacs, Astral Shakedown, The Extractors, Genuine Red and the Issues, the JR Mangan Band and The Skoal Brothers. The event will once again be emceed by DJ Jeff Brown, who has been part of every “Rock the ’80s” concert since its inception.
One of the night’s most meaningful connections comes from Genuine Red in the Issues’ Cori Donaghy, who has performed at every “Rock the ’80s” event and is also a cancer survivor and former Bob Perks Fund recipient.
“That’s always been really special for us,” Brown said. “Seeing someone who received help from the fund come back and give back in that way. That’s what this is all about.”
Beyond the music, the event has become known for its spirited crowd and creative costumes. Attendees are encouraged to come dressed in full 1980s fashion, with prizes awarded for best solo costume and best group or duo. Finalists will be selected during the show and voted on by the audience.
“We get some incredibly creative people,” Brown said with a laugh. “It’s always fun to see what people come up with.”
While Rock the 80s is a celebration, the mission behind it is rooted in very real needs. The Bob Perks Fund provides financial assistance to cancer patients for everyday living expenses — rent, utilities, groceries, transportation and insurance — costs that often become overwhelming during cancer treatments.
“People don’t realize how quickly things can spiral when someone is battling cancer,” Brown said. “Sometimes they’re choosing between putting gas in their car to get to treatment or buying groceries. We try to make sure they don’t have to make those kinds of choices.”
Patients can apply through their oncology care teams and the process is designed to be simple. Eligible recipients can receive up to $1,000 every 90 days. The fund serves residents in seven counties: Bedford, Blair, Clearfield, Centre, Huntingdon, Mifflin and Juniata.
“Our goal is to let people focus on getting better,” Brown said. “If we can take some of the financial stress off their shoulders, even just a little, that can make a huge difference.”
Looking ahead, the organization plans to continue expanding its reach while maintaining its core mission. Additional fundraising events, including a Night at the Races later this year, are also in the works.
What makes the work sustainable, Brown said, is the way former recipients often return to support the fund once they’re back on their feet.
“People remember how much it meant to them, and they want to help someone else through it,” Brown said.
For now, the focus is on Feb. 21, a night of music, memories and community support wrapped in neon colors and power chords.
Tickets and event details are available through The State Theatre and the Bob Perks Fund website at bobperksfund.org.
