Retired veteran, musician battles cancer, organizes benefit concert for a cure
(Dallas) August 20, 2012 – “Have you ever had a family member or someone you loved diagnosed with cancer? If so, you’ll understand my determination to help find a cure,” writes Rick Kackley of Plano.
The disabled military veteran, musician and motorcycle enthusiast has made it his mission to help others win their fight against cancer, even as his own four-year battle with the disease takes a devastating, personal toll.
Kackley describes his life with lung and throat cancer as “a roller coaster, a daily challenge,” complicated by an inoperable brain tumor that causes migraines. The 59-year-old has undergone radiation and chemotheraphy, and currently awaits testing to determine future treatment.
With faith in God and a network of family and friends that have each other’s “bac,” Kackley formed “Bikers Against Cancer,” a fast-growing facebook group of more than 600 bike enthusiasts, musicians and supporters who share his passion for a cure.
“Together we can make a difference in the lives of those diagnosed with cancer,” Kackley writes on the FB page.
In March, Kackley and a friend, Bruce Armstrong, made an 18-day ride from Dallas to the California coast to raise money for a cure. “This was a ‘bucket list’ wish for me, and quite an accomplishment,” Kackley said.
With a little help from his friends, Kackley has organized a benefit concert – the “Concert Against Cancer” – coming this Saturday, August 25 to Rick Fairless’ Strokers Dallas.
Nine bands from the Dallas/Fort Worth area joined the lineup of live musical entertainment.
Proceeds from raffles and a silent auction will benefit the John Wayne Cancer Foundation and the National Lung Cancer Partnership.
“The mission of the John Wayne Cancer Foundation is to bring courage, strength and the grit to the fight against cancer,” wrote Greg Graber, the foundation’s director of programs, in a letter of support. Founded in 1985, the John Wayne Cancer Foundation was created in honor of John Wayne after his family promised to use his name to fight against cancer.
“We look forward to working with Rick and the community of Dallas to advance lung cancer awareness and generate critical funding for research and education to fight this disease,” wrote Becca Gerber with the The National Lung Cancer Partnership – the only national 501(c)(3) lung cancer advocacy organization founded by physicians and researchers. “We are dedicated to decreasing deaths due to lung cancer and helping patients live longer and better through research, awareness and advocacy.”
CONCERT LINEUP
The current schedule for the Concert Against Cancer is shaping up like this:
Mud Bone, Noon to 1 p.m.
Midnight Thunder, 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.
Daddy Rocks, 3 to 4 p.m.
Stone Groove Band, 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.
Silver Tones, 6 to 7 p.m.
Hulagan, 7:30 to 8:20 p.m.
Krash Rover, 8:50 to 9:40 p.m.
Dazed, 10 to 11:50 p.m.
Jeff Smithart, 12:20 a.m. to 1 a.m.
Rick Fairless’ Strokers Dallas is touted as the ultimate motorcycle destination in Texas. Located on 2.5 acres just north of downtown Dallas at 9304 Harry Hines, Strokers has a top of the line dealership, service department, bar and grill, and a tattoo shop.
Stay tuned to Blue Ribbon News and the Concert Against Cancer event page for the latest updates.
Those wishing to donate to the cause, contribute raffle items or silent auction items, should contact Rick Kackley. Connect with Rick Kackley on his Facebook page.
DINE & DONATE
Texas Land & Cattle Steak House invites friends, family and neighbors to any of its Dallas area locations in Plano, Arlington, Dallas, Garland, Bedford, Frisco, Richardson and Hickory Creek anytime from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 21 through Sunday, Sept. 23 to help support Bikers Against Cancer. Present the flyer to your server and 15% of your dinner receipt will support Bikers Against Cancer fundraising efforts.
RAFFLE / AUCTION ITEMS
Among the silent auction items that have been donated for the cause are: a guitar signed by Hulagan, a guitar signed by Kix Brooks, a cap signed by Emmitt Smith, a day with WFAA reporter Steve Stoler for a junior or senior high school student, a drum head signed by drummer Steve Smith of Journey, a GMax motorcycle helmet XXL, a football signed by Rocky Bleier/Pittsburgh Steelers, a leather motorcycle vest XL, HD motorcycle helmet L, HD leather jacket L, tattoos (3/$100) from Pipeline Tattoo Ink Hurst, tattoo ($200) Diamond Tatoo Parlor Hurst, piercings (2/$50), Diamond Tattoo Parlor Hurst, tattoo ($100) Playtime Tattoo, poster signed by Pure Prairie League, gift certificate/cut and color at Osgood-O’Neil Salon Dallas ($165 value), Kuryakyn Longhorn Offset Highway Pegs ($149 value), football jersey signed by Marshall Faulk/former St. Louis Ram, Kona guitar signed by Aranda, Candlebox, Hellyeah, Chevelle and Evanescence, poster signed by Switchfoot (2), photo signed by Candlebox, poster signed by Aranda, tattoo ($100) and ($50) from Highwayman Ink, piercing (2/$40) from Highwayman Ink, gift basket from Raising Cane’s ($100), pennant signed by Joe Nathan/Texas Rangers pitcher, necklaces, black leather jacket size 48, Kona electric guitar with case and strap, two tickets to Dallas Mavericks game (2 sets), audio Bible New Testament by Heavenbound Books, Bible Study Guide, CD autographed by Evanescence, CD autographed by Switchfoot, CD autographed by Florence and the Machine, Winchester Repeating Arms Co. 30-30, Commemorative Knife Set, gift certificate to Johnny Rodriguez Salon ($250 value).
Raffle items include: Knife on a Chain (2), Skull Ring, 2 Belt Biker Belt Buckles, Utility Knife, Lighter with eagle, Worm Gear Fishing Rod and Reel, Gift Cards Texas Land and Cattle/2 $25, Gift Card Pei Wei $25, Gift Card Academy $25, Gift Card Red Lobster $30, Gift Card Duke’s Grill $25, Gift Card Boomer Jack’s Grill $25, Gift Card Twisted Root $25, 50 Buffalo Wings Hooter’s/3 $30 value, Free Wings from Buffalo Wild Wings/Plano (2 envelopes), (3) Certificates for 6 People for Wings Buffalo Wild Wings Plano, T-Shirt Harley Davidson Bedford Size L (2), T-Shirt Hooters with catalog XL (4), T-Shirt Joe’s Crab Shack XL, HD Touring Lantern, HD 6 glasses, coasters, CD signed by Halestorm, CD signed by Theory of a Deadman, CD signed by Weezer Hurley, CD signed by Cage the Elephant, CD signed by Florence and the Machine, Poster autographed by Switchfoot.
Written by Dawn Redig, Blue Ribbon News, all rights reserved.
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