‘Stars Guitars’ Auction and Concert Benefits Kids After Cancer

Oct. 22 event in Dearborn features The Guess Who; autographed guitars

Autographed guitars from famous pop, rock and country musicians will be going on the auction block Oct. 22 to support the Charles A. Main, M.D. Pediatric Cancer Survivor Scholarship Fund of Beaumont Health System. The “Stars Guitars” gala will take place at the Ford Community and Performing Arts Center in Dearborn. The doors open at 6 p.m. The event features a live and silent auction, strolling dinner and a performance by The Guess Who.

Scholarship recipient Christie Hill with Dr. Charles Main.

Guitars up for auction are autographed by well-known recording artists and groups, including: Maroon 5, Willie Nelson, Slash, Sting, Kenny Loggins, My Chemical Romance, Linkin Park, Jeff Beck, Panic! At the Disco, Ted Nugent, Ke$ha, Ty Stone and Rush. For a complete list of guitars, including photos, visit the Stars Guitars website- www.starsguitars.org/auction.

Along with autographed guitars, other auction items include: a trip to Los Angeles for the “American Idol” finale; restaurant packages; jewelry and spa gift certificates.

General admission tickets are $75 and patron tickets are $125. Casual attire is suggested. Patron tickets include preferred seating. Both tickets include the live and silent auctions, gourmet strolling dinner and concert by The Guess Who. For tickets and more information, visit the "Stars Guitars" website at www.starsguitars.org/ or call the Beaumont Foundation at 248-551-9887.

Proceeds from the event will benefit two programs- the Charles A. Main, M.D. Pediatric Cancer Survivor Scholarship Fund of Beaumont Health System and Beaumont’s Pediatric Oncology Long-Term Follow-Up Clinic.

The Charles A. Main, M.D. Pediatric Cancer Survivor Scholarship Fund was created in honor of Beaumont’s Chief of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Dr. Main. The fund’s purpose is to assist young cancer survivors to pursue advanced education and honor outstanding achievements by current and former childhood cancer patients.

“I wanted to encourage my young patients to overcome their health issues and strive to reach their full potential as they battle through the darkness of a devastating disease like cancer,” says Dr. Main. “Seeing these fantastic kids, who have been through so much, have this opportunity to shine is rewarding. This educational scholarship program is a special initiative that has made a real difference in their lives.”

Since the inception of the program in 1992, more than 100 students have been awarded more than $600,000 in scholarship money.

In addition to college scholarships, medical grants will be awarded through Beaumont’s Pediatric Oncology Long-Term Follow-Up Clinic. According to the American Cancer Society, due to treatment advances, about 80 percent of children treated for cancer survive five years or more. The treatments that allow these children to live can also cause health problems that may not show up until months or years after treatment. Beaumont will award treatment scholarships to help children and their families pay for the costs associated with the long-term medical effects of cancer treatments.