#BeatHL Rockfest Concert To Rock Salina

Family and friends are rallying around a Salina woman who is battling cancer, and have organized a benefit concert.

Ashlea Nicholson was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma in January of this year, shortly after she had started a new job.

Ashlea told KSAL News that wanted to keep working. But her cancer treatment program forced her to cut down her hours at work to part-time, and eventually forced her to quit.

Friends and family have organized several fundraising events to help Ashlea pay medical expenses. Events among others have included restaurant dining deals, and a bowling event.

One of the biggest events to date is scheduled for next weekend, the 1st Annual #BeatHL Rockfest.

The concert features five area acts:

Buildings Like Mountains
The Inklings
Dead Ex’s
Dru Davis
12 Years Coming

There will also be a special guest MC at the the show, and a special prize for the first 25 people through the door.

Ashlea shared the reason for the event. “The reason I decided to make the #beatHL Rockfest an annual event is because going through chemo has been so incredibly difficult. Once I have completed my treatments and I no longer need financial help I want to be able to use what’s left over, and future donations, to help others who are going through the same thing. Cancer does not care if you are rich, or poor, and this has been the most difficult thing I’ve ever had to do. So my intention is to be able to host a #BeatHL Rockfest every year in order to raise money for those who are struggling financially while going through chemo right here in our community. One of the things I came across, is that there is a lot of help from different places online that will help you pay your medical bills. But there is nothing to help people pay their other bills. Chemo drains all of your energy, and if you have to stop working and still have a family to support, it makes it impossible to hold a job and get the treatment you need. I want to be able to help those here in our community directly and that’s what The Ashlea Nicholson Foundation is for. I know that right at first we may not be able to give as much as I would like t,o but my hope is that people will continue to hear about The Ashlea Nicholson Foundation and donate money to help their fellow neighbor here in Salina. There are so many people who are fighting and from experience it’s really good to know you aren’t alone!”

The 1st Annual #BeatHL Rockfest concert to help Ashlea Nicholson in her fight against cancer will be held next weekend, on Saturday, May 30th, at the Muse Event Center at 1700 West Beverly Drive. The show starts at 7:00. Admission is $10 at the door.

All ages are welcome at #BeatHL Rockfest, but those 17-years-old and younger must be accompanied by an adult.