Concert to raise money for breast cancer awareness

Every three minutes, a woman in the U.S. is diagnosed with breast cancer, the most common cancer among women and the second leading cause of death in women.

Because of this harsh fact, two sisters from Sigma Alpha Omega-Erin Watts and Crystal Bracewell-decided to take a stand against breast cancer by coordinating a benefit concert named “Take Two” to raise money for breast cancer awareness.

The concert, raising funds through the Breast Cancer 3-Day walk, will feature three Christian bands including Thief on the Right, Seconds to Safety, and The Awkward Romance, and will take place Thursday, April 28 from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. in Georgia College and State Univerisity’s Magnolia Ballroom.

Bracewell said that while many members of SAO are helping out with the benefit, anything the girls do is strictly voluntary because the benefit is not a service project.

“It’s just something Watts and I brainstormed during a 45-minute car ride one day. We’re both doing the Atlanta 3-Day walk in five months, and we realize that breast cancer affects a lot of people, even men.” Bracewell said. “Some of the people affected have been close to both me and my friends. If we raise the money and donate it to finding a cure, then those who are suffering from breast cancer have a second chance at life.”

Watts agreed.

“Cancer has been such a looming presence in my life, and I want to take a stand and start fighting back what my family has been fighting for a while,” Watts said. “I want to honor all those I love who have survived cancer. Those survivors are the ones who kept motivating me to keep working on this huge project.”

Annie Compton, SAO sister, came up with the name for the event.

“The name ‘Take Two’ came off the top of my head, but I think it really fits,” Compton said. “Everything that the Atlanta 3 Day walk and the concert is about is a second chance at life for those who survived and those that are fighting.”

Freshman Bryan Mangrum, drummer for Seconds to Safety, said his band supports breast cancer awareness because breast cancer is an important problem that needs to be dealt with.

Mangrum said his band plays a mix between emo rock and hardcore, with a flare of punk rock, and will perform about seven original songs.

“I am looking forward to a big turnout for the event,” Mangrum said. “With bands like ours, The Awkward Romance and Thief on the Right, the benefit has a chance to draw a great, diverse crowd.”

Sophomore Blake Goss, vocalist and guitarist for Thief on the Right, said his band considers playing at the benefit an honor.

“It is our band’s goal to spread the love of Christ and this is one way of doing so,” Goss said. “We support breast cancer awareness because our hearts go out to those in need and we want to do whatever it is we can do to be of help.”

Goss said Thief on the Right will perform for about 45 minutes.

“Our expectation for the concert is to draw a big crowd, have an awesome time rocking out and raise money to help those who are struggling with breast cancer,” Goss said. “We are looking forward to the opportunity to raise money for such as great cause and perform our music.”

According to Bracewell, the benefit is strictly nonprofit.

“The bands are all performing for free and Student Activities is taking care of setting up the sound,” Bracewell said. “The benefit won’t cost us anything at all.”

Watts and Bracewell have been promoting the benefit through campus Christian organizations, word of mouth, Thefacebook and radio stations WGUR 88.9 and 104.7 The Fish.

“Everything’s coming together,” Bracewell said. “I’m excited about the whole process. My goal is to have the bands to perform in front of a packed auditorium.”

Tickets will be $3 before the benefit and $5 at the door. T-shirts will also be sold at the event for $5. Dean’s Cup points will be awarded for this event.

For more information, E-mail taketwo_benefit@yahoo.com.

Posted by Colonnade Archives on Apr 22 2005. Filed under Other. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry