MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (WBOY) — At the Mon County Center at Mylan Park. From Tony’s Country Roads concerts to college tours It was held on Friday night to raise funds and awareness for early detection of breast cancer.
West Virginia native Wyatt Turner and a host of local bands and performers Tony Foundation, A non-profit organization established to encourage people to detect breast cancer early and to educate people about the issue.
The nonprofit was founded by Mark Gentile and is named after his wife, Toni Renner Gentile, who passed away from breast cancer in 2023. He told 12 News that early detection is “so important,” and spoke about his wife’s diagnosis and how he started the program.
“By the time I went to the doctor and got examined, it was already stage four. There were some signs, but I didn’t realize it at the time. Honestly, if I had realized it, we might not be here today. But now that we’re here today, I want everyone to get out there and get their screenings and mammograms. Honestly, that’s why we support the WVU Cancer Institute because they work with Bonnie’s Bus and other important programs to have early detection programs for breast cancer across the state,” Mark Gentile said.
Mark Gentile told 12News that his wife was a firefighter and paramedic and lived in Morgantown before the couple moved to Connecticut. She was a Mountaineers fan and loved music.
“The more we say her name, the more she lives on. We can basically hang up her picture,” Gentile said. “Tonight isn’t just about Tony, it’s about anybody who’s ever had cancer, whether it’s breast cancer or any kind of cancer.”
All proceeds from the concert will support breast cancer research and scholarships for emergency medical personnel and students interested in the medical field.
