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Sister Hazel's Lyrics for Life: An Evening of Making
Music Matter Raises Over $800,000 for Cancer Programs
Raising Millions for Children's
Cancer Charities Nationwide
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Photo Credit: Chris Watkins
Photography
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NASHVILLE, TN (March 20, 2025) Platinum-selling band Sister Hazel
hosted the seventh annual Lyrics for Life - An Evening of Making Music Matter event on Saturday, March 08, 2025,
in their hometown of Gainesville, FL. Presented by Rich and Carissa
Blaser, the event raised more than $800,000 for Lyrics for Life’s
Camp Hazelnut, the Florida Cancer Specialists Foundation, and STOP!
Children’s Cancer in Gainesville, FL.
The unforgettable evening featured an
intimate performance by Sister Hazel, with special guest
appearances by Rick Springfield and Edwin McCain. Dr. William
Slayton, a pediatric oncologist at the University of Florida and a
key partner in the event, shared with attendees, “The cancer that
took the life of lead singer Ken Block's brother, Jeffrey Block,
has been nearly eliminated. Thanks to donations, doctors have now
identified the 'fingerprints' of cancer—breakthrough research that
not only has the potential to save the remaining 10%, but can also
be applied to treating all types of cancer.”
The event was made even more memorable
thanks to the generous support of Verizon Business, the official
After Party Sponsor, ensuring the celebration continued well into
the night.
Since its
founding, Lyrics for Life has raised more than $5 million to
support children’s cancer research and treatment. This includes a
million in donations to STOP! Children’s Cancer in Gainesville and
over $600,000 for the Florida Cancer Specialists Foundation.
Additionally, the event has provided critical funding for
organizations like the Children’s Cancer Center in Tampa and Camp
Sunshine in Atlanta.
Each year, more than 15,000 children under
the age of 19 are diagnosed with cancer, highlighting the ongoing
need for support. While survival rates have improved, cancer
remains one of the leading causes of death by disease among
children.
To learn more about Lyrics for Life and discover ways to contribute to this vital
cause, visit https://www.lyricsforlife.org/.
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Photo Credit: Chris Watkins
Photography
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About Sister Hazel:
Originating from Gainesville, FL, Southern
Rock Band Sister Hazel is made up of five skilled and experienced
musicians. Their hit song "All for You" soared to the top
of the adult alternative charts in the summer of 1997, driving
their album to achieve platinum status. Since then, the band has
established itself across rock, alternative, and country genres,
with multiple entries on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart. Known for their
dedication to fans, Sister Hazel was a pioneer in the themed cruise
and destination event industry with the launch of "The Rock
Boat" and regularly hosts unique fan-focused events such as
the “Hazelnut Hang” and "Camp Hazelnut." They also
maintain a strong social media presence with over a million followers.
Beyond their musical activities, the band is committed to
charitable efforts through Lyrics For Life, a nonprofit founded by lead singer Ken Block, has
raised over five million dollars by bringing together musicians and
celebrities for concerts and auctions to support cancer research
and patient care.
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 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 5985 Silver Falls Run, Suite 210,
Bradenton, FL 34211. Learn more about the FCS Foundation
at: FCSF.org. For more information, call 941.677.7186 or
email Events@FLCancer.com.
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Photo Credit: Dave
Schlenker
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