Rockin’ Out Cancer returns for 15th year supporting families battling cancer
Trending
KNOX TOWNSHIP -- For the 15th year Rockin' Out Cancer will offer an evening of live music in support of three families battling cancer.
The annual concert will be held from 4 to 11:30 p.m. on Aug. 9 at 2017 Knox School Road, with 100% of proceeds supporting three local families fighting against cancer.
The beneficiaries of this year's event will be Debbie Baylor, Garrett Coffee and Kristianna Hurford. As always, the concert will also support cancer research, with a portion of the proceeds will also be donated to The Arthur G. James and Richard J. Solve Research Institute at The Ohio State University.
Gates open at 4 p.m. again this year, with parking available directly across the road. Entry is $35 for pre-sale tickets or $40 at the door and includes food, drinks and live musical entertainment. Children age 12 and under enter free. Dinner from Smokehouse Grill will be served from 5 to 7 p.m. Pizza from Damascus favorite Dudley's Pizza will also be available for purchase on site.
This year's event will feature three bands: the Three Piece Chicken Dinner Band, Cold Shot and Trippin' Laces by Jimmy Newquist.
"Rockin' Out Cancer continues to be an opportunity for our community to come together to celebrate those we have lost, those who have won and those who are fighting," said Event Coordinator Tony Pasco. "We are so fortunate to have such caring and generous business owners, families and friends joining our mission. They all do walk to the beat of a different drum, and it's a drum that you can hear throughout Northeastern Ohio. This community ROCs!"
To purchase tickets in advance or make a donation visit www.rockinoutcancer.org.
Debbie Baylor
Baylor was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma in 2025, undergoing high-dose chemotherapy treatments in preparation for stem-cell transplant this year. The chemotherapy weakened her immune system caused physical weakness, leaving her unable to return to work.
Despite her symptoms, Baylor continued to volunteer her time at the Elks Lodge in Alliance until the time came for her stem-cell transplant, where her volunteer work, altruism, and positive spirit have made her a familiar and friendly face to many in her community.
Garrett Coffee
The Coffee family has lived in the heart of Hanoverton and have been respected members of the community for generations.
A United Local alum, 25-year-old Garrett Coffee worked at his family's business Hanoverton Hardware until his diagnosis with Ewings sarcoma. Since then, Garrett's treatment has taken him to medical facilities around the country, mostly in pediatric hospitals as Ewings sarcoma is most prevalent in children. Garrett has received treatment from the Cleveland Clinic, Nationwide Children's Hospital, and hospitals as far away as Florida for trial treatments.
Garrett's treatment has now taken him to Mexico where he will be continuing his fight for several months under the supervision of world-renowned specialists in Ewings sarcoma.
Kristianna Hurford
Hurford was described by her family as the type of person "who would give the shirt off her back to help anyone in need."
A dedicated pediatric nurse, Hurford was diagnosed with invasive ductal Carcinoma in January of 2024, immediately beginning aggressive chemotherapy treatment. Since then, Hurford has endured multiple rounds of chemotherapy treatment requiring hospitalization multiple times.
In August of 2024, Hurford underwent a double mastectomy followed by 30 radiation treatments, and 12 immunotherapy treatments, throughout which she was forced to take extended time off work.
In December, Hurford will be undergoing surgery once again and will be off work for a further 12 weeks.