Music Legends Perform At Benefit Concert In OKC

Music legends Vince Gill and Alice Cooper took the stage in Oklahoma City on Sunday for a great cause. They helped to raise money for cancer research.

The Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation (OMRF) held its third annual "241" fundraiser, meaning "two events for one cause." It kicked off with a special benefit concert. Oklahoma's own Vince Gill performed some of his greatest hits at the research building on NE 13^th St.

"Everybody knows the impact of cancer in the world right now. A woman in my band has been battling lung cancer and my sister has gone through a bout of breast cancer," said Gill, a 20-time Grammy Award winner. "Any chance I get to come home and see family, do something nice like this feels good."

Gill played for hundreds of guests, many who donated thousands to cancer research.

"We recruited three new cancer researchers this year from other parts of the country, and that's an expensive proposition," said OMRF President Dr. Stephen Prescott. "So we need that flexibility that these gifts give us to bring in these outstanding scientists."

The science facility took on the look of an upscale party, as the event was a fun way to bring awareness to a serious disease. In previous years, the foundation raised money to fight multiple sclerosis and the deadliest forms of cancer.

"We're constantly expanding research and new initiatives," said Gene Rainbolt, OMRF Board of Directors. "We have one drug that was developed here that is in trial for glioblastoma, which is a very serious brain cancer, so we're making progress."

One famous fundraiser is Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Alice Cooper, who has performed at the benefit before and shared the stage with Gill to perform Chuck Berry's "Nadine."

"I don't know anybody that doesn't know somebody in their family that didn't have cancer," Cooper said.

"The facility here is huge in its reach for all the diseases it works to find cures for, so this is like the heart of the whole thing right here, and you know when you're in our position if you're a singer and a golfer, then it's a perfect fit."

So far, the foundation has raised more than $630,000, which will go to finding new ways to treat breast and colon cancer.

The fundraiser will conclude Monday with a golf tournament at the Oklahoma City Golf and Country Club. Alice Cooper will be there to tee it up.

Learn more about the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation.