Morgantown-Area Benefit Concert Slated for July 26 Aids WVU Cancer Institute

Tonie Renner Gentile grew up in Granville, surrounded by family, community, and a love for music. Since she lived right across
July 9, 2025 WOL



Tonie Renner Gentile grew up in Granville, surrounded by family, community, and a love for music. Since she lived right across the river from the WVU Coliseum, she enjoyed listening to the Mountaineer Marching Band practice playing “Country Roads.”  


 


 


 


Last year’s inaugural event raised $10,200 for the WVU Cancer Institute. This year, the goal is to match or exceed that amount. All proceeds go directly to the Tonie Renner Gentile Breast Cancer Research Fund, which supports student research dedicated to breast cancer.  


 


 


Colin Carey, a rising WVU sophomore majoring in immunology and medical microbiology, received aid from the Tonie Renner Gentile Breast Cancer Research Fund to participate in the WVU Cancer Institute’s Summer Undergraduate Research Program. Originally from Morgantown, Carey is conducting research focused on triple-negative breast cancer.  


 


“I would love to say thank you,” Carey said. “Thank you for supporting me and my journey in research. It’s an incredible opportunity, and I am deeply grateful for everyone who has helped me along my way.”  


 


Mark Gentile, Tonie’s husband of 27 years, said his goal is to help other families conquer cancer through early detection. He created a nonprofit organization, Tonie’s Fund, with a mission rooted in fighting the fear and stigma surrounding early diagnosis.  


He said his wife suspected something was wrong, but she waited too long to seek treatment. She was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer in July 2022 and passed away on Feb. 7, 2023.  


 


“I truly believe that Tonie was so afraid to go and get the diagnosis because she was afraid of those aggressive types of treatment plans, when it turns out she actually was eligible for a lot of different treatment plans that weren’t as invasive,” Mark Gentile said. “If we can find a way through our educational program to prevent that from happening, then that’s what Tonie’s Fund is all about.”  


 


At each concert held in Tonie’s honor, the atmosphere is centered around celebration, remembrance, and community. One of the most meaningful elements is a tribute wall that honors people affected by cancer.  


 


“It doesn’t matter what kind of cancer you are impacted by; we pay tribute to everybody,” Gentile said.  


 


The wall serves as a space for attendees to remember loved ones, recognize survivors, and support those currently battling cancer. It’s a visual and emotional reminder of the concert’s deeper purpose: raising awareness, encouraging early detection, and uniting people through shared experiences. 


 


 


Editor’s Note: Submitted photo of Tonie and Mark Gentile


 


 


 



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