Two musicians with ties to the Grateful Dead and who are also stage IV head and neck cancer survivors, Mark Karan and Joe Pulitano, have teamed up to play three benefit concerts to raise money for the Oral Cancer Foundation and the Dana Farber Cancer Institute.
Karan is the former lead guitarist for the post Grateful Dead band The Other Ones, and Joe Pulitano is the drummer for the tribute band Deadbeat.
Following Deadbeat's recent benefit performances, the two men donated $7,500 of the concert proceeds to the Oral Cancer Foundation to support the organization's efforts, according to a truebluetribune.com story.
Karan was diagnosed with oral cancer but is now cancer-free, according to the story. Pulitano had complained for 14 months to his doctor about a voice change, shortness of breath when speaking, and a sore throat. He was eventually diagnosed with stage IV head and neck cancer.
