Cancer got a well-deserved kick in the butt at the Collier Lanes bowling alley Friday night as community members, friends and family gathered to enjoy some fantastic music and lend their support to Mark Terrian, of Oxford Village, as he battles this dreaded disease.

They came to hear local musician Michael Young, a fellow Oxford Village resident, perform and purchase copies of his new 20-track album, “One by One.”

Between album sales (40 were sold) and donations that night, the event raised $1,515 for Terrian and his family.

“Thank you to Mike and (his wife) Tina and everybody for coming out to this,” Mark said. “We appreciate all the help we can get.”

Following the performance at Collier Lanes, Young plans to dedicate all the proceeds from his album sales to Terrian for a period of 30 days. Folks can get a copy by mailing a $15 check (payable to Michael Young) to P.O. Box 629, Oxford, MI 48371.

In August 2015, Terrian was diagnosed with stage four rectal cancer that had spread to his liver.

“It’s a kick in the teeth, especially when you’re diagnosed with a stage four right off the bat,” he said.

Since then, Mark has undergone 12 rounds of chemotherapy, 31 rounds of radiation, a liver ablation, 25 rounds of hyperbaric oxygen therapy and most recently, a surgery to remove the cancer from his rectal area and give him a permanent colostomy.

Mark is feeling pretty “raw” and “really sore” right now.

“I’ve been sliced from front to back, so it’s going to take a while to heal up,” he said. “I’ll be off work for probably close to two months.”

The surgery was a last resort, the least desirable option in Mark’s mind, but it was a success. Mark was pleased to report the doctor just informed him there’s no sign of cancer in that area of his body.

“It’s one less thing to deal with,” he said. “It feels good to know that part is gone.”

“It’s relieving to know they got it all,” said Mark’s wife, Teresa.

Mark is now focused on recovering from the surgery so he can move on to eradicating the cancer that still lingers in his liver.

When asked what motivates him to keep going, to keep fighting this long, difficult, painful battle, Mark replied, “I’ve got to take care of my family. That’s the main thing for me.”

In addition to his wife, Mark has three children – Carson, a freshman at Oxford High School; Dylan, a 2016 OHS graduate; and Baillie, a 2012 OHS graduate.

“I’m not going to just give up and let it beat me,” he said. “That’s not who I am. I’ve got to take care of my wife and my kids. That pushes me to do what I’ve got to do to beat this thing.”

That’s exactly what one of the songs on Young’s new album is all about. Entitled “It’s Going Down” and inspired by Terrian’s struggle, the song is about fighting cancer and winning. Young performed it during the benefit at Collier Lanes.

“I was kind of shocked. It was pretty cool that somebody would do that,” Mark said.

With lyrics like “I’ve got metal, in my mouth; Taste the anger, get it out,” the song is a powerful and defiant anthem that declares war on a foe that silently grows while “you stream movies.”

The “metal” is a reference to the metallic taste cancer patients often have in their mouth, a side-effect of chemotherapy.

In a letter to the audience, the Youngs wrote, “Cancer is a word that none of us want to hear in our lives. It destroys more than just flesh and bone. It can wreak havoc on everything you work so hard for in life. Thanks to each and every one of you who are here to support my music and the Terrian family.”

The Terrian family is grateful for all the support the community has given them, from home-cooked meals to financial contributions.

“The community is wonderful,” Teresa said. “We’ll open up a package and not have any idea who it’s from and it’s gift cards or gas cards. It really helps us out. It brings tears to our eyes every time. It’s wonderful.”

A fund-raising page for the Terrian family (#TERRIANTOUGH Cancer Battle) at GoFundMe.com has collected $12,340 since September 2015.

“This little community of Oxford has taken care of us really, really well,” Mark said.

“Little town, big heart is what I always say,” Teresa said. “The support is not going unnoticed. We’re very appreciative.”

To others battling cancer, Mark offered this advice – “Don’t give up. Don’t be discouraged . . . As horrible as the treatments are, just go do it and get it done and get on with your life.”