About Us
Sheryl's BreastFest
A Music Festival Fundraiser for Cancer Support
Sheryl's BreastFest, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization celebrating over a decade of music, love, and community support for cancer patients. Since its founding, this Polk County music festival fundraiser has donated more than $118,000 to families impacted by cancer.
Our 10th Annual Sheryl's BreastFest, held on May 10th, 2025, was an incredible celebration filled with powerful music, heartfelt stories, and unforgettable community spirit. Thanks to our amazing supporters, it was one of our most successful events yet!
Now, we’re already looking ahead to our 11th Annual Sheryl's BreastFest on May 9th, 2026, in Lakeland, Florida. Join us for another inspiring day of live music, charity raffles, delicious food, and meaningful giving. Together, we continue to make a lasting impact on the lives of local families battling cancer.
Our Story
What started as a small gathering of friends rallying around Sheryl Gentry’s battle with breast cancer in 2016 has grown into an annual charity music festival that brings people together for a greater cause.
The first event, held at the Lakeland Elks Lodge #1291, featured five bands, raffles, and an outpouring of love that raised nearly $4,000 to support Sheryl's medical expenses. By 2017, Sheryl was cancer-free and dedicated to paying it forward. She transformed BreastFest into a nonprofit cancer support festival, helping local families in need.
Each year, we select a new cancer patient beneficiary and unite through live music, charity auctions, raffles, and donations to provide financial relief and emotional support. Even during the pandemic, Sheryl’s BreastFest remained committed, finding creative ways to continue raising funds for families affected by cancer.
Our Impact
Over the past decade:
Since 2016, we've raised over $118,000 to help 12 families battling cancer. Our 501(c)(3) nonprofit event brings Polk County together through music, charity raffles, and community love.
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12 cancer patients and their families have received financial and emotional support.
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More than $118,000 has been donated to ease the burden of treatment-related expenses.
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Sheryl’s BreastFest has become a cherished local tradition, bringing together communities in Lakeland, Polk County, and beyond with the support of dedicated partners and businesses.
Join Us
Sheryl’s BreastFest is more than just a fundraiser—it’s a celebration of resilience, hope, and the healing power of community. Together, we can continue to make a meaningful difference for families in need.
Support Us - How You Can Help
There are many ways you can be part of the Sheryl’s BreastFest mission:
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💗 Donate to Cancer Patients
Every dollar helps provide direct financial relief to local families facing cancer. -
🙋 Volunteer at the Event
Join our amazing volunteer team and help make our annual festival a success. -
📣 Spread the Word
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Help us grow our impact by sharing Sheryl’s BreastFest with your friends, family, and community:
👉 Share Our Event Page
👉 Share Our Main Website
👉 Share Our Facebook Page
👉 Share Our Facebook Event Page
Every share helps us reach more supporters, volunteers, sponsors, and donors — and ultimately helps more local cancer families.
Our Beneficiaries
A Cure Worth Fighting For.
More Than a Festival —
A Community Mission
Cancer doesn’t just affect one person — it impacts entire families. Sheryl’s BreastFest is a free Polk County music festival with a purpose: to provide direct financial relief and emotional support to local families facing cancer.
Each year, we bring our community together through a high-energy, heartfelt benefit event featuring:
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🎶 Live music on two stages showcasing talented local and regional bands
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💗 Emotional connection and community support for families during some of life’s hardest moments
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🎁 Fundraising through raffles, silent and live auctions, and generous community donations
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🤝 A commitment to giving back, with 90% of proceeds directly supporting our annual beneficiary, 5% reserved to help sustain the following year’s festival, and 5% donated to other trusted cancer support organizations
Sheryl’s BreastFest isn’t just an event — it’s a movement of hope, generosity, and resilience, all powered by community and set to the soundtrack of incredible live music.
Why It Matters
For families facing cancer, the financial and emotional burden can be overwhelming. Medical bills, travel to treatments, lost wages, and daily living expenses quickly add up — often at the worst possible time.
Sheryl’s BreastFest exists to remind families that they are not alone. Through community support, generosity, and the power of music, we help lift some of that burden and provide hope during one of life’s most difficult journeys.
When you support Sheryl’s BreastFest, you are not just attending a festival — you are becoming part of a movement that changes lives.
Our Annual
Music Festival &
Cancer Benefit
Join Us for the 11th Annual Sheryl’s BreastFest Music Festival & Cancer Benefit
Get ready to celebrate the 11th Annual Sheryl’s BreastFest Music Festival & Cancer Benefit on May 9, 2026 in Lakeland, Florida!
This exciting community event is proudly hosted at The Lakeland Elks Lodge #1291 and brings together music, giving, and community spirit for a full day of impact.
🎟️ Admission is FREE
🕚 Festival Hours: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
What to Expect
Our festival offers something for everyone, with both outdoor and indoor experiences, including:
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🎶 Live music on two stages — outdoor stage and indoor stage
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🚚 A variety of food trucks serving delicious eats
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🤝 Community fellowship and family-friendly fun
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🍹 Drink specials to keep the good vibes flowing
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🎈 Kids’ activities and interactive entertainment
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🎁 Silent auction, live auction, raffles, and games of chance — all supporting our annual cancer beneficiary
More Than a Festival — A Community Movement
Mark your calendar and join us for a full day of music, fun, and hope as we celebrate 11 years of making a difference for families impacted by cancer.
Sheryl’s BreastFest is more than just a fundraising event — it’s a community-driven celebration of compassion, generosity, and support for local cancer patients and their families.
With both indoor and outdoor spaces, live music, and interactive activities, our festival creates an inclusive and welcoming environment for everyone to come together and make an impact.
11 Years Strong
Serving our Community since 2016
500+ Attendees Each Year
Bringing Polk County together through music and giving
12 Live Bands
Two stages filled with local and regional talent
1 Family Supported
Every Year
Direct financial support for a local cancer patient or family
Core Values
We are guided by compassion, integrity, diversity, and transparency as we work to support cancer patients and their families.
• Coming Soon - Get involved today and help us make a difference in 2026!
Diversity
Sheryl's BreastFest is committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and equitable environment where all individuals are valued and respected. Whether as board members, vendors, or partners, everyone involved is treated with dignity.
We will not tolerate discrimination, biases, harassment, or bullying of any kind. As an organization, we celebrate the rich diversity of our community and strive to reflect these principles in our vision, mission, and programs.
Meet The Board
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Sheryl Gentry – Executive Director
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Cindy Green – President
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Melissa Chambers – Vice President
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Carol Trudell – Event Coordinator
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Jasmine Bell – Event Coordinator
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Kim Birmingham – Event Coordinator / 2021 Event Recipient
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Richard Saxton – Safety Coordinator