Monsters of Rock Cruise Contributes $48,000 to Ronnie James Dio Cancer Fund

The Ronnie James Dio Stand Up and Shout Cancer Fund continues to be a leader in raising funds for cancer research and prevention, and they just got a sizable contribution from the Monsters of Rock Caribbean Cruise.

The boat recently set sail from Miami to Nassau in the Bahamas and the five-day trip included a number of activities to raise money for the Dio Cancer Fund. Some of the activities included Rock 'n' Roll Bingo and a Dine and Donate dinner. For the latter, participants paid for a cooking demonstration from some of the rockers on the cruise like Tom Keifer, The Winery Dogs' Billy Sheehan, Dio's Rowan Robertson and Lita Ford and more.

In addition, guitars signed by Black Star Riders and Europe were auctioned off with the funds going to the Dio Cancer Fund. A special live auction also featured signed Ronnie James Dio photos, rare memorabilia and three unique guitars -- a Motorhead signed guitar, a Monsters of Rock guitar signed by many of the cruise's participants and a guitar built from the ground up by George Bisceglia who builds guitars for Y&T's Dave Meniketti

"I cannot thank Larry Morand, Mike London and the fantastic Monsters of Rock Cruise Production Staff, as well as the very generous passengers, who dug deep in their pockets during our wonderful five days at sea," stated Wendy Dio. "I want them all to know that every penny raised will go to cancer research so that one day we will find a cure for this terrible disease that takes so many of our loved one's lives. Ronnie would be so proud."

The Ronnie James Dio Stand Up and Shout Cancer Fund will next turn up with a full weekend of events May 15-17 in the Los Angeles area commemorating the fifth anniversary of Dio's death. Some of the activities include the Bowl for Ronnie celebrity bowling tournament at Pinz Bowling Center in Studio City, a public memorial for Dio at the Forest Lawn memorial park and the inaugural Ride for Ronnie Motorcycle Ride from Glendale to a BBQ with live entertainment in Encino. For more details, go here.

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