Upstage Lung Cancer to Present 'FROM BENCH TO BROADWAY' to Benefit Lung Cancer Research

On December 7, 2017, Upstage Lung Cancer (ULC), the unique 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that raises awareness and fundraising for research through performing arts and music presents, "FROM BENCH TO BROADWAY: Songs Where the Science Is." The concert celebrates Lung Cancer Awareness Month.

This innovative show focuses on collaboration with the laboratory research scientists at the Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research (KI) and ULC by making music where breakthrough science is being conducted.

This year's musical salute to Broadway will focus on how innovation energizes the arts and science. Using Broadway's best-loved, rousing, and heartfelt songs transforms a critical cause into a collaborative celebration of life sciences and survival. Proceeds from the evening's event will be invested in cutting-edge life-saving technology for early detection of lung cancer at KI.

Emmy Award-winning arts and entertainment editor Joyce Kulhawik returns to emcee this year's ninth annual ULC Fall Cabaret Concert. Candy O'Terry, an award-winning radio & television personality, singer and recording artist, and founder and former co-host of WMJX, Magic 106.7/Boston's Exceptional Women radio show will add her vocal talents, along with a celebrated cast including Brian De Lorenzo voted Talent America's 2001 "Performer of the Year," Hildy Grossman of the celebrated jazz group, The Follen Angels, and Paula Markowicz, actress and singer with "Divas With a Twist!" They'll create a powerhouse musical evening to support this critical cause. Stage Director, Lisa Rafferty, and Music Director, Tim Evans, also join forces to ensure an unforgettable evening.

Since its inception in 2008, ULC's mission has been to promote awareness and education, removing social stigma, and raising funds for early detection of lung cancer. To date, ULC has invested $2 million in lung cancer research, in partnership with LUNGevity Foundation and also the Addario Lung Cancer Foundation and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Lung cancer is the #1 cancer killer and yet it receives the lowest level of federal funding per life lost. Hildy Grossman, ULC's founder, vocalist, and lung cancer survivor, is fighting to change this staggering fact using Boston's vibrant performing arts scene to alter negative stereotypes and ensure lung cancer receives the research funding it deserves.

ULC is the first cancer charity to use music and the performing arts exclusively to reach their mission to raise funds for innovative research on early detection and diagnosis of lung cancer. Grassroots organizations such as ULC are determined to increase the five-year survival rate for lung cancer, the planet's #1 cancer killer. The goal is to drive early detection and diagnosis of lung cancer to extend life and transform lung cancer into a chronic, manageable disease. For Hildy, it was an accident that led to her early diagnosis and treatment, allowing her to be lung cancer-free for 11 years. Let's not leave it to accident.

ULC is proud to join forces with MIT's Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research to invest in their innovative Frontier Research Program. The goal is to support laboratory research in order to create a new, reliable, and non-invasive method of early detection and diagnosis of lung cancer. Upstage Lung Cancer and the Koch Institute are deeply committed to supporting boldly conceived, groundbreaking, and highly collaborative research that all too often does not qualify for funding from traditional government sources.

UPSTAGE LUNG CANCER also will bestow their "FAN AWARD" on someone who has shown exceptional leadership in the fight for progress in the detection and treatment of lung cancer. To round out the evening's entertainment, there will be a silent auction and post-concert reception.

Pictured: John King, Paula Markowicz, Davron Monroe, Hildy Grossman, Brian De Lorenzo, 2016