Playa del Rey Event to Benefit Cancer Research

Friends, family and community members will come together in Playa del Rey on July 14 to raise money in memory of Rod Fasone, who lost of his life to cancer nearly 20 years ago.

Playa del Rey resident Dennis Fasone has hosted the fundraiser, ROD'S DAY, since 1993 in memory of his son, Rod Fasone, who died from colon cancer in December 1992. He was diagnosed with cancer during his junior year at Indiana University in 1990, and despite being told he would only live for 60 days, he ended his battle with cancer two years later.

The event will feature a Hawaiian-themed party with a skydiving exhibition as well as a raffle, buffet and a silent auction. All proceeds will be donated to the California Oncology Research Institute in Santa Monica, specifically to support Dr. Anton Bilchik’s research that seeks to improve methods for early detection. 

“I realize, individually, we can only do what we can do, but my thought is that we should do more, no matter how small it seems, or inconvenient it may be perceived,” said Dennis Fasone in a statement. “ROD’S DAY is always a fun get-together of friends and family, as Rod would have wanted it.” 

Those interested in donating an item for the silent auction should contact CORI at 310-883-0096, or donate directly online. Los Angeles philanthropist Joyce Eisenberg-Keefer has pledged to match every dollar donated to CORI – up to $1.5 million.

ROD’S DAY will be held at , located at 203 Culver Blvd. in Playa del Rey, on July 14 at 3:45 p.m.