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http://www.omniture.com --> Email Story to a Friend June 2, 2006 Local bands sign up to fight cancer By sanne specht Mail Tribune Several local bands are tuning up to fight cancer this weekend at Spiegelberg Stadium at South Medford High School as part of several local Relays for Life, the American Cancer Society's signature fundraiser. The entertainment lineup for the two-day event includes blues-rock-jazz band Rogue Suspects, America's High School Idol Contest state winner Nicole Navarro, traditional Southern Appalachian folk band Screamin' Gulch, sister songsters Wild Honey Pie, Sass O Brass and Dan Doshier. "All of our entertainers are performing at no charge," says Allen Broud, volunteer entertainment and activities chairman for the American Cancer Society Relay for Life of Medford. Broud says it's hard to find a person whose life has not been impacted by cancer. Survival rates are increasing, but cancer still kills 1,500 people a day, he says. But every dollar raised for cancer research is a dollar closer to saving a life. And local band members say they are honored to participate in raising money to find a cure for the disease that has devastated so many families, including their own, they say. Organizers hope residents will celebrate survivors and honor those who lost their battle by participating in this weekend's event, says John Bach, lead singer and banjo player for Screamin' Gulch. "Everybody has had their lives touched, a family member, a close friend," says Bach. "We'd like to participate every year. We're a crazy hillbilly band and we've all got to use what we've got to get the message out." Nicole Navarro's mother, Debra, is a survivor of lymphoma and has been cancer-free for 61/2 years. Her father, Angel Navarro, says Nicole "went through hard times" during Debra's battle. "We know what it's like when someone's sick," says Angel Navarro. Broud's mother died of cancer when he was 17, and his father is battling colorectal cancer. He also lost both paternal grandparents and one great-grandparent to cancer. Broud's son Adam, a North Medford High School student, will play accordion for Sass O Brass during the event. Greg Frederick of Rogue Suspects says cancer hit "just about every male relative on my father's side." "As you see friends succumb to colon, breast and ovarian cancer, it's hard," says Frederick. "Worst of all is the ones who didn't have to go." Frederick hopes to impart the message that early detection is key to surviving cancer. People should be sure to get pap smears, mammograms, colonoscopies and other important diagnostic tests, he says. "It all starts with awareness," says Frederick. "We hope our audience, which is getting older, will become better educated medical consumers." Reach reporter Sanne Specht at 776-4497 or e-mail [email protected] . Advertisement s Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2006 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback www.bingo.com Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker Custom Build Computers Discount Hotel Reservations --> online casinos news Ashley Furniture HomeStore Send Flowers California Casinos GMAT Prep Windermere Van Vleet Sports Equipment Online Casino Reviews Entertainment Guide --> Online Casino Fundraisers Sudoku Online Casinos Canada Online Pharmacy