CLARKS SUMMIT — Brianna Brodt, 26, of Peckville, described her late father, Darwin Brodt, as “optimistic” and “a man with an absolutely contagious spirit.”

The 59-year-old Nazareth resident died on May 17 after a seven-year battle with multiple myeloma, an incurable blood cancer. He was well-known as a state champion in All-American Wrestling and was on the U.S. Olympic Development Team. He was also a coach and teacher.

A fundraising event, Music for Multiple Myeloma, will be held in his honor to benefit the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF). Scheduled for 5 to 10 p.m. Saturday, July 30 at Duffy’s Coffee House, it will include live music and more than 50 prizes and basket raffles donated by the community. For a list of prizes, visit the “Music for Multiple Myeloma” Facebook event page. All ages are invited, and MMRF T-shirts and wrist bands will be available for donations.

There is no cover charge for the event, but a donation of $10 is suggested.

The musical lineup includes Alex O’Brien, Coffee House Trio, What’s His Face, The Tellerz, Bella Peters and JR Mangan.

Marc Boriosi, of Clarks Summit, co-organizer of the event, said they hope for a good crowd and look forward to celebrating Darwin Brodt’s life.

Brianna Brodt agreed.

“I want it to be a fun night that’s enjoyable to everyone, but also spreads awareness and is also a way to remember and honor my dad,” she said.

Boriosi didn’t know Darwin Brodt for very long, but he said, “for the short time I got to know him and people around him, I would say he was impossible not to like.”

Remembering her father, Brianna Brodt said, “He never stopped smiling even when he had every reason to be angry or upset. He loved unconditionally and would do anything to help others. …He opted for voluntary surgeries that served him no benefit, for the purpose of helping others who still suffer from this disease. His courage and strength was so admirable.

“My goal for this event is to continue what he started by raising awareness and continuing to fight for a cure. He’d want it that way.”

She said watching her father endure the cancer for seven years was very difficult.

“He had several different (chemotherapies), he had two stem cell transplants, he participated in two or three clinical trials…just so many treatments. It’s a pretty devastating cancer to watch. And MMRF is trying to help find a cure for it.”

Last year, she helped raise more than $6,000 for the MMRF through the organization’s annual 5K run.

“This year, I wanted to do that again, but think of other ways to kind of branch out and try different fundraising techniques,” she said.

Those who wish to donate to the cause but are unable to attend the July 30 event can do so online, via her “Brodt’s Battalion” fundraising page at bit.ly/2aikYpv. She added that this past year, another friend of hers, Sarah Taylor, 26, who recently moved to the Philadelphia area from Northeastern Pennsylvania, was also diagnosed with multiple myeloma. Donations can be made to help support her and her family online at bit.ly/2ad2k34.

Brianna Brodt, left, is organizing a fundraiser for the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation in honor of her father, Darwin Brodt, who died of the incurable blood cancer in May. Music for Multiple Myeloma will be held from 5 to 10 p.m. Saturday, July 30 at Duffy’s Coffee House in Clarks Summit.
https://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/web1_ABJ-Myeloma-1.jpg.optimal.jpgBrianna Brodt, left, is organizing a fundraiser for the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation in honor of her father, Darwin Brodt, who died of the incurable blood cancer in May. Music for Multiple Myeloma will be held from 5 to 10 p.m. Saturday, July 30 at Duffy’s Coffee House in Clarks Summit. Submitted photos

Darwin Brodt, who lost his life in May to multiple myeloma, an incurable blood cancer, was described by his daughter, Brianna Brodt, as ‘a man with an absolutely contagious spirit’ who ‘never stopped smiling, even when he had every reason to be angry or upset.’
https://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/web1_ABJ-Myeloma-2.jpg.optimal.jpgDarwin Brodt, who lost his life in May to multiple myeloma, an incurable blood cancer, was described by his daughter, Brianna Brodt, as ‘a man with an absolutely contagious spirit’ who ‘never stopped smiling, even when he had every reason to be angry or upset.’ Submitted photos

By Elizabeth Baumeister

ebaumeister@timesleader.com

More info

Music for Multiple Myeloma, a fundraiser for the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF), is scheduled for 5 to 10 p.m. Saturday, July 30 at Duffy’s Coffee House in Clarks Summit. There is no cover charge for the event, but a donation of $10 is suggested.

Those who are unable to attend the event but wish to make a donation can do so online at bit.ly/2aikYpv.

For more information about the MMRF and the currently incurable blood cancer, visit themmrf.org.

Reach Elizabeth Baumeister at 570-704-3943 or on Twitter @AbingtonJournal.