Hunt Union Hosts a Rock to Cure and Mic Benefit Show

ROCKIN' FOR THE TYLER DEMARCO FOUNDATION.. "NEVER GIVE UP"

KRYSTAL HERBSTMAN-- ONEONTA, NY

On February 16th, different organizations came together to show how much support they have for a special alumni. The Tyler DeMarco Foundation has the mission to simply carry out the wishes of a young boy named Tyler who's life was taken from Medulloplastoma, the most common form of brain cancer. Tyler was diagnosed at age 9, and lived in remission for 11 months, until the cancer came back- this time taking over much more of his body; and soon after taking his life. Tyler's family started a charity that would send all the proceeds to funding Medulloplastoma research at St. Jude's Children's Hospital, and creating private hematology and oncology rooms for children at the Albany Medical Center.  

Hunt Union Ballroom. (c) Krystal Herbstman. Feb 16th, 2016 

Hunt Union hosted an event that would allow all people to come and support an amazing cause, while having fun. A Rock to Cure and Mic Benefit Show hosted the bands Watermedown, Chase Hugln, Pitched Slapped and Nobody's Babe. The tickets to enter were $2, and donations were greatly appreciated. 

  I had the opportunity to speak with students Emily DePalmo and Rachel Blanchard who were full of excitement coming to the event.

Emily DePalmo. (c) Krystal Herbstman. Feb 2016

 Emily stated that "I'm here to see all the talent that Oneonta has to offer, and I am also very excited about Pitch Slapped".

Rachel Blanchard. (c) Krystal Herbstman. Feb 2016

Rachel excitedly said "I came here because a girl in my lab class told me about her performance in Pitch Slapped, so I am really excited to see how well she does!"

Before I left Hunt Union, i had the opportunity to meet someone who had a very important role in the event- Tyler DeMarco's brother, Ryan DeMarco. Ryan takes immense pride with his foundation that his family created because it is in memory of his beloved younger brother. Tyler states that "We've been doing this for the past six years. Tyler was my brother who passed away in February of 2010. We've been doing events like this for the past six years to raise money for childhood cancer. Last year we donated 130,000 dollars to Albany Medical Children's Hospital and this year well hopefully donate an additional 100,000 to St. Jude's. This event is great, not only because I am an alumni of Oneonta, but also a former Mic Member. All my friends put this event on for me today, its a great thing."

Ryan DeMarco. (c) Krystal Herbstman Feb 2016