Sister Hazel's Lyrics for Life: An Evening of Making Music Matter Raises Over $475,000 for Cancer Programs
Over Three and a Half Million in Funds Raised to Date
Platinum-selling band, Sister Hazel, hosted Lyrics for Life - An Evening of Making Music Matter on Saturday, March 5, 2022 in the band's hometown of Gainesville, FL. Presented by Rich and Carissa Blaser, the fourth annual event raised over $475K for the non-profit charities Lyrics for Life's Camp Hazelnut and Florida Cancer Specialists Foundation, as well as Stop Children's Cancer in Gainesville, FL. This special event put the charity over the three and a half million mark in funds raised since the inception of the charity in 2002. Nearly 1,000 attendees bid in a star-studded silent auction, featuring items from some of the music industry's biggest names and experienced an intimate concert by Sister Hazel with special guest artist's Mark McGrath, Kevin Griffin, and Emerson Hart from the supergroup Ezra Ray Hart.
“I lost my little brother to cancer when we were just teenagers, so this is extremely personal for me,” explains Sister Hazel lead singer Ken Block. “The money we raise through Lyrics for Life goes directly to support cancer patients and their families from all three sides - body, mind, and spirit. We fund cutting edge cancer research, offset daily patient and family expense challenges, and provide scholarships to attend an incredible 'Camp Hazelnut' weekend experience for kids and families dealing with a cancer diagnosis. We are humbled by how much this charity has been able to positively impact people’s lives, and we are so grateful for our partners and for the support of our fans and the community.”
Lyrics for Life has donated money to Children's Cancer Charities around the country including over $500,000 donated to Stop Children's Cancer in the band's hometown of Gainesville, FL, Children's Cancer Center of Tampa, FL and Camp Sunshine in Atlanta, GA. In 2019 the event raised over $350,000 for Florida Cancer Specialists Foundation, Gainesville's STOP Children's Cancer Charity, and Lyrics for Life's annual Camp Hazelnut event. More than 15,000 children under age 19 will be diagnosed with cancer this year. While survival rates have improved, cancer remains one of the leading causes of death by disease for kids. You can learn more about Lyric's for Life here.
About Sister Hazel:
Originating from Gainesville, FL, Sister Hazel is comprised of five gifted, seasoned musicians whose well-spring of natural talent has been called "one of the Top 100 Most Influential Independent Performers of the last 15 years" by Performing Songwriter Magazine. Song "All for You," topped the adult alternative charts during the summer of 1997 and the success propelled their album to platinum status. Since then, the band has become firmly established not only in rock and alternative music, but now in country with four back-to-back Billboard Top Country Albums Chart entries. They have most recently co-produced a cleverly themed EP compilation series entitled “Elements,” that includes a bonus seventh track that continued throughout the series. Living up to their fan-centered reputation, the band was a pioneer in the themed cruise industry by co-founding "The Rock Boat" and annually hosts events like the “Hazelnut Hang,” and "Camp Hazelnut" that focuses on creating unique experiences and interacting with the fans. Sister Hazel has been equally attentive to connecting with their audience through social media having amassed over a million social followers. In addition to the events and touring, the band also gives back with “Lyrics for Life.” Founded by singer Ken Block, the charity unites musicians and celebrities for concerts and auctions to benefit cancer research and patient-care charities.
About Lyrics for Life:
Lyrics for Life is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization whose mission is to make a difference in the fight against pediatric cancer. Sister Hazel frontman, Ken Block, and his band mates founded Lyrics for Life in memory of Ken’s younger brother, Jeffrey, who ultimately lost his four-year battle with cancer that started at age 14. The charity unites musicians and celebrities for concert events, auctions, and other fundraising efforts. The monies raised are donated to groups that are working to find a cure, as well as those aiming to enrich the lives of patients and their families. From research to summer camps and family support groups, we are surrounding this disease and conquering it from every angle. Artists participate in many ways, often by donating handwritten lyrics to one of their songs on anything from a simple sheet of paper to a surfboard to some other unique item, which we offer for auction at one of our Lyrics for Life events. Our team of musicians, volunteers, sponsors, and supporters set high goals for the future. We accept the challenge to find new ways of raising money and awareness and to help make each day a little brighter until there is a cure. http://www.lyricsforlife.org/
About Camp Hazelnut:
Decades of familiar, happy faces cover the walls in the dining hall of Camp Crystal Lake outside Gainesville, FL. Kids around the U.S. have been spending summers there for as long as anyone can remember, so when the Camp’s Director, Scott Burton, got word to the band that he would love to collaborate on an event, everyone loaded up the car and headed out for a visit. The conversation started simply as a family-focused Sister Hazel fan event—a weekend “summer camp” retreat with activities, bonfires, cabins, and, of course, music. When Sister Hazel decided to also invite some regional kids with cancer and their families, the idea took on a whole new meaning, and the weekend turned out to be far more powerful than anyone first imagined: so much so, that they decided to center future Camp Hazelnut events around these special kids and families. The Camp Hazelnut goal is simple: create a playful, safe, uplifting experience for kids and families navigating the overwhelming challenges of a cancer diagnosis. It's a place to simply get away and come together. The campers embark on a great exploration to discover (or rediscover!) the magic that can only be created at summer camp, and the band is right there alongside them every step of the way, leading activities, playing acoustic campfire sing-alongs, sharing, giggling, and having a blast. http://www.lyricsforlife.org/camp-hazelnut
About The Florida Cancer Specialists (FCS) Foundation:
The Florida Cancer Specialists (FCS) Foundation provides financial support to qualified cancer patients in the state of Florida for expenses such as rent or mortgage, car payments and utility bills. By giving patients peace of mind in knowing that their bills are being paid while they are undergoing treatment, the FCS Foundation allows them to concentrate on what really matters – fighting cancer. Due to the generosity of the Florida Cancer Specialists partner physicians in covering all overhead expenses for the Foundation, 100% of donations received go directly towards paying the essential non-medical living expenses of an adult battling cancer. The Foundation is a 501(3)(c) nonprofit organization and located at 5204 Paylor Lane in Sarasota, Florida. Learn more about the FCS Foundation at: Foundation.FLCancer.com or call 941.677.7181.