A celebration of life, community, and music!

Hey Readers! This is Pat Gilroy from the Chicago rock band The Super Happy Fun Club!  I’ve known and worked with Billy throughout the years and I’m excited to be a guest blogger today! In the summer of 2010 I received a troubling text about a friend who was part of a brutal attack.  He stood up for someone who was in harm’s way, and in a terrible turn of events, became the victim.  (check out the full story here).  Matthew Leone (bassist for the rock band Madina Lake) was at the beginning of a very long journey back to normal life.

Musicians from across the country heard Matthew’s story and came together to help.  Artists like Metallica, Fall Out Boy, and Madonna donated items to auction. The Smashing Pumpkins put together a benefit concert at the Metro with Kill Hannah.  With the help of the organization Sweet Relief, fans and friends alike kept track of the fundraising efforts and helped Matthew raise the money in order to pay down his medical bills.

Now Matthew has decided it is time to give back.  He is taking $60,000 from his medical bill fund and starting a new Midwestern Musicians Fund for Sweet Relief.  These funds will be available for musicians battling cancer, multiple sclerosis, heart disease, and other life threatening challenges.

Join Matthew and friends on Wednesday May 2^nd 2012 at the Foundation Room at House of Blues where you can hear Matthew and Sweet Relief Executive Director Rob Max speak about the work that Sweet Relief does for the community.  Additionally, Tom Higgenson of the Plain White T’s will give a special performance. The event runs from 6:30 – 8:30PM.  Join us in this celebration of giving! Click here for more information.

– Pat Gilroy