The Ballarat Regional Integrated Cancer Centre has received a donation of over $1600 after a function for a cancer patient turned into a sold-out rock concert.
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When 65-year-old Buninyong resident Frank Nolan was diagnosed with oesophagus cancer in November last year, his brother Peter decided to put on a show with his Roy Orbison tribute band The Big O and Friends to boost Frank’s morale.
“They came up from Melbourne and charged nothing, it was an enormous show of support” Frank said.
“We sold the show out. We had to turn people away in the end.”
The event at the Buninyong Golf Club attracted 143 people.
The golf club pledged $1000 to cancer research in Ballarat, while the lead singer of The Big O and Friends, John Wells, had a history of illness himself, including a battle with throat cancer.
“If you’re trying to sing like Roy Orbison you don’t want to have throat cancer,” Frank said.
Mr Nolan is currently going through the final stages of chemotherapy.
Mr Wells’ business partner also donated $500 to the cause, while a further $100 was collected through donation jars.
Ballarat Health Services foundation and fundraising director Geoff Millar said the money was a boost for cancer research in the city.
