Pop singer Kesha is lending her talent to the Rhonda's Kiss charity concert in a bid to make cancer screening and treatment more affordable, particularly for those living in inner cities on low incomes.
Kesha joins a lineup that also includes newly formed supergroup The Hellcat Saints and comedian Bill Burr, who will emcee the event. The function is named after Rhonda Stefanski and supported by the Marc A. and Rhonda L. Stefanski Foundation. It will take place Nov. 3 at the El Rey Theatre in Los Angeles.
Rhonda was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer in 2014 and lost her battle with the disease shortly thereafter in November. The American Cancer Society estimates that 48,960 people will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in the US this year. Around 40,560 people will die from the disease.
Rhonda's husband, Marc A. Stefanski, CEO and chairman of Third Federal Savings, suggested that his family's experience with cancer inspired a commitment to ensuring others the same kind of top-tier treatment options.
"The goal of the event is to provide an outlet for healing for our family and to raise money to assist people in need who require financial assistance during cancer treatment," he told Loudwire. "We were able to afford the best care for Rhonda, and we realize not everyone is as fortunate as we are."
Now, the charity works in conjunction with the Cleveland Clinic's Community Outreach Program, which distributes the money to those in need.
Kesha's presence is particularly noteworthy after a year in which she was largely preoccupied while completing rehabilitation for an eating disorder in 2014. According to People Magazine, the 28-year-old performed a cover of Led Zeppelin's "Whole Lotta Love" at The Roxy in Los Angeles last month. She's also scheduled to appear on an upcoming episode of The CW's hit show "Jane the Virgin."
