The Ronnie James Dio "Stand Up & Shout" Cancer Fund, which was founded in memory of the late heavy rock singer who died in 2010, has raised over $450,000 for cancer research.
Later this year, the memorial fund will pair up with fine arts auction house Christies for a guitar and bass auction at their American branch in Rockefeller Center, New York. Almost 100 instruments have already been donated, including guitars from many superstars such as Eddie Van Halen, Slash, Aerosmith, Tony Iommi, Sting, Metallica, Slayer and Rush.
Set up by Ronnie's wife/manager Wendy, the fund is committed to the early detection and prevention of cancer through facilitating access to medical screening and medical educational programs. The main goal of the fund is to reduce the risk of developing life-threatening cancers by offering access to preventative medical services aswell as assisting families burdened by the cost of caring for love ones with cancer.
In March, Wendy Dio updated fans on some of the good work the fund is doing and the causes they are helping to support, thanks to your donations.
"We just donated $100,000 to the T.J, Martell Foundation for Cancer, AIDS and Leukemia research and have pledged $100,000 for the next 3 years!!!!," said Wendy. "We have also donated $117,000 to the M.D. Anderson Cancer Facility for Gastric Cancer, this is where Ronnie received most of his Chemo research. We have pledged $117,000 for the next 3 years. We donated $10,000 to the [Y&T bassist] Phil Kennemore Foundation and unfortunately he passed away on January 7th from Lung Cancer."