FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP — Veronica Kole of Freehold Township has spent much of her time helping others though her work as a singer and recording artist. Now the young woman needs a little help herself.
Kole’s father, Edmund Koleshnick, 53, was diagnosed with stage four liver cancer on June 17, just three days before Veronica’s birthday. The resulting consequences have changed the family’s life.
“It really shook us up and even now it still shakes us up to know how randomly selected he was [to get] this rare form of cancer. The doctors gave him six months to live, if that, and told us to hope for the best,” Kole said.
Her dad is getting treatment as he battles the disease.
In honor of her father, Kole will host a fundraiser and do what she does best — perform her music.
“Donations for Daddy,” a liver cancer benefit concert, will be held at the Encore Event Center at iPlayAmerica, 110 Schanck Road, Freehold Township, from 6 p.m. to midnight on Oct. 16.
Kole, who is a Team Snooky Music artist, will be joined by Brenda K. Starr and and Jillian Jenson from XFactor.
Also performing will be Frankie Zulferino, B-Capp, Refug 3 Danielle Dante, Justin and Alina, Unique Status 4, Zawezo, The Beat Club, Rachel Lorin and dancers from the Icon Dance Complex.
Kole said Gina Marie from the hit television show “Big Brother” will be in attendance.
“My father is the hardest-working man I know, so I decided it was time to give back to him,” she said. “The medical bills are rough and although insurance covers a portion, it is still difficult to keep up with the payments for my father’s treatment.”
Kole has two younger brothers, Giovanni, 17, and Armando, 11. Her mom is Jacqueline.
Kole said, “I have been a recording and performing artist for years, traveling around the world and giving back to various organizations and charities, and I decided to put together an event of my own to celebrate the hardworking man my father is and to help him through this difficult time.”
Tickets for the Oct. 16 event, which is being supported by the nonprofit organization Web of Compassion, are $20 pre-sale and $25 at the door. Tickets are available at donationsfordaddy.brownpapertickets.com or by calling 732-208-0971. There will be raffles, giveaways, prizes, a silent auction, meet and greets, a door prize for every attendee, and more.