(press release) In early June, Andrew McMahon, the lead singer of Something Corporate and Jack's Mannequin, was diagnosed with acute lymphatic leukemia. Within the past year, Scott Gottlieb, drummer for Bleed The Dream, was diagnosed with the same disease, and passed away in April.Heeding Andrew's call and in Scott's memory, 19 of Florida's most outstanding bands playing the Van's Warped Tour and Bleed The Dream have contributed tracks for a benefit CD entitled "Bands Doing Battle - A compilation to benefit pediatric cancer research and encourage blood donation."
Conceived in mid-June and also inspired by Alex's Lemonade, the project's quick implementation was facilitated by the use of Verizon's FiOS's broadband technology, allowing the CD to be released August 2nd.
The CD will be available at the four Florida Warped Tour shows - August 4th in Jacksonville, August 5th in Tampa, August 6th in Pompano Beach, and August 7th in Orlando for a $10 donation.
Hot Topic has pledged to carry the CD in its Florida stores and the CD will be available from Interpunk.com for supporters outside of Florida.
Proceeds from the Florida CD sales and benefit concerts will fund the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation's support of pediatric cancer research performed by Dr. Cameron Tebbi and Dr. Michael Lawman at St. Joseph's Children's Hospital in Tampa, a member of the Children's Oncology Group.
The benefit CD is a collection of 20 tracks of almost 80 minutes of music that will raise awareness and funds for pediatric cancer research and encourage blood donation.
Artists include Bleed The Dream and Florida bands: Doghouse Records' Sunday Driver, Fighting Records' Whole Wheat Bread, Hand of Hope Records' DKLIMB, Indianola Records' A Day To Remember, Parafora Music's Through You, Floodgate Records' Forever Changed, Next In Line Records's Midnight Aria, New School Record's My Hostage, Anchorless Records' Fire At Will, Hand Out Records' Last Great Hope, and unsigned bands Red Lipstick Letter, Exhaustra, Truly Sunday, Select Start, The Mercy League, Crooked Edge, Ject, Carter Beats the Devil, and Upper Class Trash.
"We are honored by Andrew McMahon's designation of the PCRF as a beneficiary and the participation of these musicians in support of pediatric cancer research," says James Weisenbach, President of the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation. "When people buy this CD they are helping the PCRF fund the pediatric cancer researchers who tirelessly work to find a cure." The Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation is a 501 ©(3) nonprofit organization.
"While many of the bands on this compilation are competing in the Ernie Ball Battle of the Bands, Andrew's call to support pediatric cancer research and to visit your local blood bank has united them in joining Andrew in the only battle that really matters," John Reisinger, Bands Doing Battle(http://www.bandsdoingbattle.org) founder said. "Andrew notes that 'Music is the ultimate healer' and that's why these artists have contributed such amazing music. All are extremely proud to be a part of such a worthwhile cause and extend their best wishes and support to Andrew and others who are fighting this battle."
On Sunday 7/31/2005 at 6pm, The State Theater in St. Petersburg will host the first Bands Doing Battle all-ages concert to benefit pediatric cancer research featuring Vans Warped Tour Ernie Ball Battle of the Bands Tampa contestants A Day To Remember, Upper Class Trash, and Select Start who will be joined by three Tampa Bay area teen bands.
The 7/31 concert will be preceded by a Florida Blood Services express blood drive with those donating in the last two weeks in July receiving a free 7/31 concert ticket and a chance to win passes to the Tampa Warped Tour on August 5th. Blood donors will also be eligible to win a CD or collectible t-shirt. Donor pledges will be solicited and bone marrow donor program information will be available at the FBS table under the Warped Tour Non-Profit tent on August 5th at Vinoy Park.
A post August 5th Warped Tour Bands Doing Battle CD release party featuring several compilation bands will be held at The Music Spot 1902 S. Dale Mabry Tampa, FL 33611 from 9pm to 1am. 813-259-2559.
Per year, it is estimated that 33,440 new cases of leukemia will be diagnosed in adults and children. There are four major types of leukemia, acute and chronic myelogenous, and acute and chronic lymphocytic leukemia. The disease can target anyone, from brothers to sisters, to mothers and fathers. It even targets the musicians that we watch on stage and listen to on the radio.
The Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation is a nonprofit organization founded in 1982 to improve the care, quality of life and survival rate of children with malignant diseases. While much progress has been made with childhood leukemia now having a 70% survival rate, the battle continues, as cancer continues to afflict more children under the age of 18 than any other disease.
Officials at Florida Blood Services (http://www.fbsblood.org), Tampa Bay's not for profit healthcare provider of blood components at 37 hospitals, are concerned about the this year's hurricane season and its effect on the Tampa community's blood supply. "Following the long Independence holiday weekend our blood supply has dropped, leaving us with only a one day backup supply of O positive, O negative and A negative blood types," said Don Doddridge, Florida Blood Services' CEO. "If a hurricane turns towards Tampa Bay, blood drive sponsors and donors will begin to cancel blood donation appointments to prepare for the storm decreasing our supply further. At the same time, patients in our community will still be in need daily and if a storm does hit Tampa Bay the demand for blood will increase even more," said Doddridge. "We need our local citizens to step up to the plate and donate blood soon to help us be prepared during this hurricane season." Generally, healthy people, age 17 or older, who weigh at least 110 pounds can be blood donors. Identification is required prior to donation. The FBS is also a vital testing resource for 30 East Coast blood centers and medical facilities from Maine to Puerto Rico.
