Bluegrass picker fights cancer through his music

Bluegrass picker fights cancer through his music

Associated Press - July 19, 2008 1:25 PM ET

ATHENS, Tenn. (AP) - An East Tennessee musician is raising money and awareness of pancreatic cancer through his love of bluegrass.

Ronnie Raper of McMinn County helps organize the 2nd Annual Cotton Fest in Etowah. The Sept. 27 music festival is dedicated in memory of his father, also a musician who died in December 2006 after battling pancreatic cancer.

Festival proceeds will be donated to pancreatic cancer research.

Raper, who performs with his wife and two sons in the local bluegrass group Reliance, said fighting the disease has become a priority for him because he feels it's taken aim at his family. His father-in-law also died of pancreatic cancer.

Besides performing at the festival, Raper also will be distributing information about the illness.

- www.waaytv.com/Global/story.asp?S=8702212

 

Yes, what the ordinary folks in America are doing to make this a better world is great to behold. :thumbs: