Grannies Angels of Hope hosted its annual concert in Tracy Park on Sunday to kick off its fundraising season to help raise money for The American Cancer Society research and education.

Jane Lilly, from northwestern Scioto County, is one of only about eight members of the group which has existed in the community nearly four years. Together, these eight ladies coordinate all of their fundraising events, which have included concerts, spaghetti dinners, bean dinners and more.

Last year, the group reportedly raised $7,000, and another year they raised $12,000 for American Cancer Society.

“Without research we will not have a cure, and without education we cannot learn to live with it,” Lilly said. “The reason cancer is so hard to find a cure for is because each type of cancer has to have its own cure. Breast cancer, lung cancer, bone cancer, it's all separate diseases. It's not like polio, it's not a one vaccine thing.”

Everything at their fund- raisers is donated, she said. The bands and the sound systems have been donated, and Life Ambulance also donates all of the food and cooks it all for the events.

Shannon Smith and his wife, Melinda, both work for Life Ambulance and were at the event with their six-year- old son, Dakota, and along with Melissa Spriggs, were grilling hamburgers and hot dogs for a hungry crowd.

Smith said Life Ambulance tries to remain active in the community for all of its needs, not just those that are health related.

“We participate in about anything. If it's a non-profit organization, then we'll take care of it and cover the cost of the food as a venue to help the community,” he said.

Dakota said he was having fun helping mom and dad hand out ketchup and mustard.

For Sunday's concert, bands such as Jenny Lyn, the Ranch Hands, and the Dave Morrison Band with Terry Hall all donated their time and talents to the cause. There also was a Chinese auction of items and tickets available to win a scooter donated by New Rides.

This is the official kickoff of the group's fundraising season, which lasts through Christmas.

“We have a great turn out. We have a full crowd of people out here. All music lovers are here,” Lilly said.

She also has a personal interest in the cause as well, having had two sisters and both parents die from cancer.

“Cancer touches everybody. Everyone has a family member, a friend, someone,” Lilly said. “Anything we can do to help raise money, we're out there doing it.”

RYAN SCOTT OTTNEY can be reached at (740) 353-3101, ext. 235, and by e-mail at pdt@ryanscottottney.com.