As event writers, we experience and cover fundraising events all the time. We write about how important each event is but most times our opinions never really ring true or seem all that genuine.
But as a son whose mother is battling breast cancer, the Think Pink Rocks concert funding the same disease that struck the woman who raised me, really hit home.
I actually mean it hit home literally because I grew up in South Florida and the concert took place in Mizner Park in Boca Raton.
Aside from the fact that hip-hop giant Akon took the time out to headline the event, I was shocked to see how cancer had affected all these celebrities.
You see, breast cancer does not read US Weekly, and does not care if J-Lo is dating Justin Timberlake. It will strike anyone at any time, which proves once again that we are all just human under the unrelenting thumb of disease.
The highlight of my night had to be the late addition of Trina to the pink carpet, which was like the red carpet washed with a little bleach to signify breast cancer awareness. I was shocked to hear her mother’s sister lost her life to cancer. So for her, this was an extra special event.
As Trina exited the pink carpet, I shouted out a question you all wanted me to ask. “Are you still 'Da Baddest Bitch'?” (Her hip-hip moniker).
She simply winked at me. I think that is an adamant yes.
I also got a few seconds with Steve Rifkind, the CEO of SRC/Universal Records who also said cancer affected his family intimately. Believe it or not, it was his father that had breast cancer. By the way, I think I impressed him so much that my album, “Don’t Say I Look Like Ross From ‘Friends’ (David Schwimmer)” drops next month.
The event just left everyone involved with a positive outlook on life and reminded us of the innate human drive to fight any adversary that comes our way, even cancer.
Our generation gets caught up in worthless drama involving Jon and Kate, their 20 children and his 30 affairs, but sometimes, just sometimes we can come together for events that have real meaning and show our true capacity for greatness as human beings and friends.
It was also nice to see Stephanie Robin, a Boca Raton mother also battling the disease, enjoy herself and let go for one night without worrying about therapy or radiation.
As did I, she got lost in the moment and all pain that comes with cancer dissipated if not for just one night.
Think Pink Rocks was an event I won’t soon forget and with the funds raised, hopefully those the event helped won’t soon forget it either.
***** Five stars out of five.