Rock With Love cancer research fundraiser in honour of Beacher Sarah McComb set for Nov. 8 at The Opera House

By MATTHEW STEPHENS

From events such as the annual Terry Fox Run to the efforts of the Canadian Cancer Society and Cancer Research Society, billions of dollars have been raised in support of cancer research, and the members of one local family are doing their part to honour their mother’s memory and support the ongoing fight to find a cure.

The McComb family will be hosting their fourth annual Rock with Love benefit on Saturday, Nov. 8, at The Opera House on Queen Street East.

The benefit concert will celebrate the legacy of Sarah McComb, a Beach resident who lost her life to cancer in 2021.
For Sarah’s daughter Katie, raising awareness and funds for cancer research is a way to honour her mother, help others and share experiences with those who have dealt with or are dealing with the impacts of cancer.

“Everyone’s been impacted by cancer, whether it’s directly or indirectly,” said Katie.

“Having a charity concert where everyone in the room has been touched by that feeling of the impact of cancer – it’s been really special for me.”

She hopes that by sharing her mother’s legacy with the world, others with similar experiences can share their feelings of grief, loss, and hope for a brighter future.

“It’s a really special feeling getting to carry forward her legacy in a way that helps not only my way of grieving, but also other people’s,” said Katie.

“It’s about giving people a feeling of courage and hope that there can really be change, and this concert allows us to be a part of that change.”

Tickets for the 19+ event are categorized by youth (19-29) and general admission (30+). Youth tickets are $95 (including a $3 fee) and general admission is $225 (including a $3 fee).

Tickets can be purchased on Ticketweb ( https://www.ticketweb.ca/search?q=Rock+With+Love ) or by clicking the link on Rock With Love’s Instagram bio.

Doors open for the Nov. 8 concert at 7 p.m., and the night will feature a well-known returning cover band. The headliner will be revealed at the show.

Following the cover band’s performance, a DJ will continue playing music at The Opera House, 735 Queen St. E. near Broadview Avenue, until 1 a.m.

All proceeds will go to support cancer research at St. Michael’s Hospital, where Dr. Kelsie Thu is working on a promising new approach to cancer immunotherapy with custom engineered viruses.

“The project is using viruses to deliver a new type of immunotherapy to treat lung cancer,” said Thu in a video on Rock With Love’s Instagram page.

“It might sound a little bit sci-fi to be using viruses to deliver a drug, but it’s been shown in clinical trials to be a safe and effective method, and we’re really excited about using this new approach to treat lung cancers.”

Having raised approximately $750,000 for cancer research over the last three years, Katie is hoping this year’s Rock With Love will see the fundraising reach the $1 million mark.

“The most exciting part about this year is that we’re aiming to hit a million dollars, which would be absolutely incredible,” said Katie.

“In the past four years, raising a million dollars from something that started small as a way to remember my mom is truly incredible. It has shown me and the rest of the committee how much this cause really means to everyone.”

For more information on the Nov. 8 event, or to support Rock With Love and the Sarah McComb Benefit Fund, please go to https://www.fundraiseforstmikes.ca/fundraisers/rockwithlove4