BRM News & Other Badassery: Rockers Join Dio Cancer Fund to Raise Over $36,000 for Cancer Research at 2nd Annual BOWL 4 RONNIE

Rockers Join Dio Cancer Fund to Raise Over $36,000 for

Cancer Research at 2^nd Annual BOWL 4 RONNIE

Celebrity Bowlers Include Tom Morello, Brendon Small,

Dino Cazares, John 5 and Eddie Trunk

The 2nd Annual BOWL 4 RONNIE Bowling Party, benefiting the Ronnie James Dio Stand Up and Shout Cancer Fund (www.diocancerfund.org), was held on November 4, 2016 at the Pinz Bowling Center in Studio City, California. Hosted by renowned radio and television personality Eddie Trunk and attended by 300 rockers, bowling enthusiasts and fund supporters, the event raised over $36,000 for the Ronnie James Dio Stand Up and Shout Cancer Fund, now in its seventh year of raising awareness and much-needed funding for cancer research.

Among the rock musicians in attendance at the event were: Tom Morello (Prophets of Rage), Brendon Small (Dethklok/Metalocalypse), John 5 (Rob Zombie), Dino Cazares (Fear Factory), Bjorn Englen (Dio Disciples/Tony MacAlpine/Yngwie Malmsteen), Chris Broderick (Megadeth/Act of Defiance), Joey Vera (Armored Saint), Roy Mayorga and Christian Martucci of Stone Sour, Tim "Ripper" Owens (Dio Disciples/Judas Priest), Michael Spencer (Flotsam and Jetsam), Monte Pittman (Madonna), Lizzy Borden, Ira Black (Metal Church, Lizzy Borden), Robert Sarzo (Hurricane), Rudy Sarzo (Dio/Quiet Riot/Whitesnake), Scott Warren (Dio /Warrant), Craig Goldy (Dio), Simon Wright (Dio/AC/DC), David "Rock" Feinstein (Elf/The Rods), actor/ musician Sean McNabb (Lynch Mob/Quiet Riot/Dokken), Christine Devine (Fox 11 News anchor), Damon Fox (The Cult), Chris Hager (Rough Cutt), Marty O'Brien (Lita Ford), Mick Sweda (Bullet Boys), Jeff Scott Soto (Journey/Trans Siberian Orchestra), Joe Colover, Jessie Sanchez and John Hatfield of The Others, Chas West (Lynch Mob/Foreigner/ Bonham), Joe Retta (Dio Disciples/ Sweet), Marc Ferrari (Keel), Joanie Pimentel, Lisa Pimentel and Nicola Belinsky of No Small Children, Howie Simon (Nelson, Alcatraz), Herman Li (DragonForce), Brann Dailor (Mastodon), singer Ann Boleyn (Hellion), singer Sonia Harley and members of the Barb Wire Dolls. DJ Will provided music throughout the evening.

The event kicked off with open bowling and a VIP pre-party for lane sponsors, celebrities and their guests. The evening included a celebrity bowling tournament, a raffle and a special live auction. 100% of the net proceeds from the BOWL 4 RONNIE will go to the Dio Cancer Fund. At the event, the Dio Cancer Fund presented a check for $25,000 to further the research of Dr. David Wong, Director of the Dental Research Institute at the University of California, Los Angeles. Dr. Wong is developing a non-invasive saliva test for early cancer detection. The Dio Cancer Fund already presented Dr. Wong with $25,000 at their annual Ride for Ronnie Motorcycle event in May of this year. Dr. Wong believes this simple test will become available for medical use within the next three years.

Dio Cancer Fund Founder-President Wendy Dio presents check for $25,000 to UCLA to further Dr. David Wong's development of a saliva test for cancer detection. From left: Wendy Dio, Bowl 4 Ronnie host Eddie Trunk, Dr. Sandy Kapoor, Medical Director of the Dio Cancer Fund, and David Akin, Clinical Coordinator for Dr. Wong's research project at the UCLA School of Dentistry (photo by Stephanie Cabral)

Dr. Sandeep Kapoor, Dio Cancer Fund Medical Director, explained that UCLA's Dr. David Wong is not kidding when he has said he is going to find a "blueprint" for gastric cancer, the disease that took the life of singer Ronnie James Dio in 2010. Says Kapoor: "The NIH (National Institute of Health) has recently given him a grant to do a 'prospective trial' looking at stomach cancer biomarkers There is going to be a 'liquid saliva' screening test for stomach cancer that I and millions of other doctors will be able to use in our offices. This simple saliva test might have saved Ronnie's life, and it will be able to save countless lives in the future." Information about Dr. Wong's research is available here: http://hspp.ucla.edu/wonglab/

A 6-string Jackson guitar donated by Chris Broderick of Act of Defiance and stage played by him while on tour with Megadeth in 2012 was auctioned to raise additional funds. Among the raffle prizes awarded were a specially-designed bowling ball and a bowling pin featuring the BOWL 4 RONNIE artwork, each accompanied by a Bowling Party donated by host venue Pinz Bowling Center.

In addition to emceeing duties, Eddie Trunk, host on Sirius XM's "Volume" and formerly of VH-1's "That Metal Show," captained his own bowling team comprising Tom Morello, Rock Feinstein, Jeff Scott Soto, John 5 and Tim "Ripper" Owens. His team took top honors for the highest celebrity bowling team score. The winner of the newly-minted Dean Schachtel Award-named for the late Dio Cancer Fund board member-for the highest overall bowling score went to Dio Cancer Fund supporter Scott Courtright.

2016 BOWL 4 RONNIE winners are as follows:

1st place celebrity team: Eddie Trunk, Jeff Scott Soto, John 5, Ripper, Rock Feinstein and Tom Morello

2nd place celebrity team: Marty O'Brien, Brendan Small, Dino Cazares, Chris Broderick, Howie Simon and Jinxx

3rd place celebrity team: Joe Colover, Jessie Sanchez, John Hatfield (all 3 in the band Others) plus Allie, Carrie, Trina

1st place team: Rhino Records

2nd place team: START/Rock & Rescue

3rd place team: LaPolt Law

1st place celebrity bowler: Marc Ferrari

2nd place celebrity bowler: Damon Fox

3rd place celebrity bowler: David "Rock" Feinstein

Last Place celebrity for lowest score: Monte Pittman

Dean Schachtel Award for Highest Score Overall - Scott Courtright (fan!)

Eddie Trunk's team + Damon Fox join Wendy Dio on the red carpet as they prepare to do battle on the lanes. From left: Eddie Trunk, Damon Fox, Rock Feinstein,Wendy Dio, John 5 and Tom Morello (who brought his own bowling ball). Not pictured: Jeff Scott Soto, Tim "Ripper" Owens (Photo by Gene Kirkland)