(BRADLEY BEACH, NJ) -- Community members and music lovers have completely filled the house for an upcoming evening of music, solidarity, and hope. The event will take place on Tuesday, August 25, 2026 from 6:00pm to 10:00pm at Pagano's UVA Restaurant & Wine Bar in Bradley Beach. The benefit fundraiser for a local teenager courageously battling Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS)—an extremely rare disease in children—is officially sold out, but you can still contribute to the cause online.
All proceeds from ticket sales, donations, and auctions will go directly toward offsetting mounting medical care, travel, and housing expenses for the teen and family while undergoing critical treatment and awaiting a life-saving bone marrow transplant at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP).
An Unforgettable Lineup of Local Talent - The evening features a powerhouse lineup of beloved regional musicians coming together on one stage, including performances by Pat Roddy, Fast Forward, Stringbean, Strumberry Pie, Ronnie Brandt, and Adalie Hall. Serving as Master of Ceremonies for the evening is veteran radio host and music journalist Danny Coleman. Host of the popular Rock on Radio Show and his weekly column at New Jersey Stage, Coleman brings decades of deep roots in the New Jersey music scene and a steadfast dedication to supporting local artists and charitable causes.
Paying It Forward: The "Strong to the Marrow" Mission - In addition to assisting with immediate care costs, this event helps launch the Strong to the Marrowinitiative. Because MDS is exceptionally uncommon in young people, the mission of the foundation once officially launched will be to raise critical awareness of pediatric MDS and pay all money raised forward to support future families navigating the same difficult path.
Community Spirit & Grateful Hearts - Event organizer Amy Baker expressed deep gratitude for the overwhelming outpouring of support from local residents, musicians, and regional business owners who stepped up without hesitation to make the evening possible. Guests will also enjoy a gift auction featuring donated items, packages, and experiences from generous area businesses.
Pagano's UVA is opening its doors and donating a full buffet of their celebrated, authentic Italian cuisine—widely known as one of the best in the area—to ensure every dollar raised goes directly to the family's fight and the ongoing mission. Pagano's UVA Restaurant & Wine Bar is located at 800 Main Street in Bradley Beach, New Jersey.
How to Support - While admission tickets are completely sold out, community members wishing to support the family's journey and the foundation's mission can still contribute directly through an online gofundme campaign, medical fund donations or by participating in upcoming registry drives.
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Popa Chubby has been hard rocking the blues in his fierce and soulful way for more than 30 years. Over the course of a career that dates back to 1994, he has been a force to be reckoned with on the guitar, and his tempestuous, soulful playing has never been more powerful. An imposing figure with a shaved head, tattooed arms, a goatee and a performance style he describes as “the Stooges meets Buddy Guy, Motörhead meets Muddy Waters, and Jimi Hendrix meets Robert Johnson," Popa Chubby is an endearing character who is one of the genre’s most popular figures.
