Country music sensation MacKenzie Porter is using her platform to champion a cause close to her heart – cancer research and awareness. With a family history marked by cancer, Porter has pledged to use her career influence to support charities dedicated to battling this disease.
Her mother, aunt, grandmother, and grandfather all fought cancer battles, and while her grandparents have passed away, her mother has been in remission for over a decade. “We’ve been profoundly affected by it,” shared Porter, adding that she has always known she wanted to give back beyond her music.
Now, as an ambassador for the American Cancer Society, she’s making good on that pledge. On Nov. 20, 2023 Porter will host an inaugural benefit concert, “MacKenzie Porter + Friends Present: Country vs. Cancer,” at Nashville’s famed Brooklyn Bowl. The star-studded event will feature performances by Porter herself alongside fellow country artists Dustin Lynch, Nate Smith, Walker Hayes, Alana Springsteen, and Lily Rose. All proceeds from the concert will go directly to the American Cancer Society.
This initiative was inspired by a conversation Porter had with Dr. Arif Kamal, the chief patient officer at the American Cancer Society. They discussed how Porter could leverage her country music career to raise awareness about cancer, culminating in the idea of a benefit concert. Her first recruit was her duet partner, Dustin Lynch, who immediately agreed to be part of the event.
Beyond raising funds, Porter aims to spark conversations around cancer, particularly breast cancer. She feels passionate about promoting early screening, especially among her young female fans. “I want to make it a conversation and make it not uncomfortable,” she said.
Porter acknowledges that discussing such a heavy topic can often feel awkward, but she’s determined to break down these barriers. She encourages her fans to understand their family history, consult with their doctors, and consider early screenings.
“I don’t know anyone who doesn’t have one degree of separation from somebody who is struggling or had cancer,” Porter said, emphasizing the need for open dialogues about cancer. “If we can break that down and people can talk about it as soon as they find something or know to check themselves, it’s a difference between finding something in a really early stage or finding something in a stage where it might be too late.”
Tickets for the “Country vs. Cancer – MacKenzie Porter & Friends” concert are available now, offering fans a chance to enjoy an evening of great music while supporting a vital cause.