Rock For Dads Honors Late Father, Helps Fight Prostate Cancer

Father’s Day has its own significance to many – and for one Lynnfield man, it’s become an opportunity to help raise funds for prostate cancer research in honor of his own late father.

Steven Connolly is organizing the second Rock For Dads event, to be held Saturday, June 16 at the Wakefield Elks Club from 7 to 11 p.m. The event will feature two bands – the Lost Articles, and Watts. Connolly’s younger brother, Chris, is with the Lost Articles.

Rock for Dads is organized in honor of the late Daniel Connolly, who died at age 64 in 2009 after a 10-year battle with prostate cancer. Daniel was a big music fan, particularly rock 'n roll of the '50s and '60s.

"Father’s Day in 2009 was not a fun experience, which made me vow that I wouldn’t sit idly by again on Father’s Day and dwell on a difficult day," Connolly told Lynnfield Patch in a recent email. From there, the first Rock For Dads fundraiser was born in 2010, with 100% of the proceeds going to benefit the Prostate Cancer Foundation. After taking a hiatus for 2011, the upcoming event will be the second Rock For Dads fundraiser.

Connolly also reports that since getting involved, he has learned just how widespread of a health problem prostate cancer is. He added that is the most common non-skin cancer in America, affecting about 1 in 6 men. It's also the second leading cause of cancer death, claiming the lives of about 28,000 American men each year. In a typical year, about 240,000 prostate cancer cases are diagnosed, he added.

For those who attend Rock For Dads, there will also be a large raffle featuring items like Red Sox, Revolution and Harvard football tickets, an inn stay in York, Maine and an electric guitar. Plus, golfing legend Arnold Palmer, himself a prostate cancer survivor, personally donated some autographed items for the event. Phil Castinetti of Sportsworld in Saugus will also be there to auction some sports and rock 'n roll memorabilia.

Finally, Connolly adds that one raffle winner will have the opportunity to take the stage to belt out a song with the Lost Articles.

"We're trying to make it something that's enjoyable for fathers," said Connolly.

Tickets for the event are $20 at the door.  RSVP to rockfordads@verizon.net.

There is also a Facebook page for the event that can be viewed here.