A benefit concert has been planned for reggae singer and percussionist Denver ‘Feluke’ Smith. The event, dubbed ‘The Healing – a Denver Smith’s Charity’, is set for this Sunday and is being held to assist in offsetting the cost of the entertainer’s surgery as his journey to recovering from stage-four colon cancer continues.
The Karl Hendrickson Auditorium at Jamaica College, is expected to come alive with classic music as acts like Ky-Mani Marley, Freddie McGregor, Queen Ifrica, Tony Rebel, Agent Sasco, Duane Stephenson and the ASHE performing arts group are expected to turn in stellar performances.
Speaking with The Gleaner, Thamar Williams, a close friend of Feluke, revealed that the concert was something his close friends and family had in mind since news emerged initially that he was ill. She explained that due to the urgency of Feluke’s medical situation, they had to postpone the concert as it would not have been executed in time for him to receive the funds he needed for treatment.
“We needed the money quickly and so we just went ahead with the Go Fund Me and the PayPal, etc,” she said. “The concert took the back burner, but we knew we had to do it eventually, because he had gone through treatment, which was successful, and based on that, he has been brought to the point where he can do an operation, and so we need the additional funds now.”
MISCELLANEOUS COSTS
Having responded well to the cancer treatment he received in Mexico earlier this year, Feluke can now undergo surgery to remove the remaining tumor from his colon. That surgery, however, will cost the entertainer in excess of US$25,000 with another US$15,000 estimated to cover other miscellaneous costs, including airfare and accommodation for the period he will be in Mexico.
Williams said the entertainer, although going through excruciating pain, is in good spirits and is thankful for all the love and support he has received over the past few months.
“The support has been awesome for Feluke. Everything for the concert so far has been coming in from persons who are just volunteering their time and services,” she said. “Feluke is very emotional right now. He cries every day not only because of the pain he is feeling, but because of the support he has been receiving. He is going through a lot emotionally right now, but he’s holding on.”
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