More than 300 residents and NIU students crowded into Starbusters Sunday night to “Rock for Life.”

The event raised at least $1,000 and was sponsored by the Public Relations Student Society of America. The money was donated to the National Kidney Foundation of Illinois.

The evening commenced with a free buffet donated by local restaurants and Starbusters Bar and Grill, 930 Pappas Drive.

The community has been very responsive and cooperative in its support of the event, said Anthony Seemann, account executive for the event.

Local businesses also donated $1,500 in products and services for a raffle. Other businesses contributed cash donations.

The event showcased four bands including headliner The Dog and Everything.

“It’s a huge production,” said Joey Hume, bassist of the opening band, Kirkland. “[PRSSA] did a good job.”

Starbuster’s owner, Nick Tsiftilis, agreed that the evening was a great success.

PRSSA members passed out information about the NKFI to students in the King Memorial Commons Friday afternoon.

“We’ve worked with the Kidney Foundation for several years and we feel that this is an organization that is sometimes overlooked,” Seemann said.

The NKFI provides support and education for patients undergoing dialysis as well as for kidney disease survivors.

“Kidney disease is growing at a rapid rate,” said Anne Black, special events and fundraising manager for NKFI.

One in nine Americans suffers from the disease and most of them are not even aware of their affliction, she said.

The leading preventable causes of kidney disease are high blood pressure and diabetes, Black said. These may lead to kidney disease if left untreated.

The kidney foundation also advocates organ donations.

“Myths and misconceptions prevent people from becoming organ donors,” Black said.

Right now, more than 3,200 people are waiting for organs in Illinois, she said. One organ donor can save or enhance up to 25 lives.