CREDIT: THEBAXTERS.BANDCAMP.COM
The Baxters are one of many local bands performing at the Sing Your Heart Out! benefit show at The APK on March 8.

I write about random things a lot. I write a lot about random things. The 76th annual Relay For Life 12-hour marathon will happen here in London at the TD Waterhouse Stadium at Western University, beginning June 13 at 7 p.m. and wrapping up the morning of June 14.

This marks the 11th year that London has observed the Relay, which will take place in over 500 communities across Canada and in 20 countries worldwide in 2014. An event to benefit the Canadian Cancer Society, the Relay inspires participants around the world to unite and celebrate life while being active and raising funds for a good cause. But having said all that, let me tell you about a separate event entirely.

Jenn Skeggs is a two-year Relay veteran that was inspired by her mother and her love of music to try to raise greater funds to benefit the cause. She's the backbone behind Sing Your Heart Out! A Benefit Concert For Cancer taking place at The APK on March 8, and she's been working hard since last summer to make it a success.

“A couple of years ago, my mom was diagnosed with cancer, so ever since then cancer has been in the background of our family, something we've been striving to work toward finding the cure for,” Skeggs explained. “Last year was my first concert event; the turnout was okay, but I thought that I would pursue it more and see how big and how great I could make it. This year I reached out to some more well-known London bands and luckily found some great bands that are willing to play.”

The concert features a London-centric lineup, including Lucky Widmore, The Baxters, The New Outcasts, The Tracks, City Canvas, The Creekside Strays and Adam Dimla, a Canadian Top 12 beatboxing competitor.

Skeggs took on the challenge as a way to increase funds raised for her team — she and her Relay teammates undertake the logistics of the concert themselves, working together to put on the benefit show as a group effort and donate the proceedings to the Relay.

“My team is called Lighting The Way For The Cure, and it's us that's putting on the concert,” she explained. “The majority of the people at the concert behind the scenes are a part of my team, which this year is mostly made up of my family plus a couple of coworkers, all aimed to support my mom and everything she's going through.”

According to Skeggs, Relay For Life has several events called bank nights throughout the year, at which registered teams have the opportunity to submit whatever they've collected so far in their fundraising efforts.

For Sing Your Heart Out!, the fundraising efforts extend beyond the donation-based admission — organizers have also arranged for the sale of candy and commemorative wristbands, as well as a silent auction featuring donated items, many from the local London music scene, including acts performing throughout the night.

“[This is] the first time that there's been a bigger concert to raise funds for the event,” Skeggs said. “We have all these bands who are willing to donate their time; this is the biggest show I can think of in London's 11-year history with the Relay.”

“It's an amazing event, a night where you don't have to worry about anything. You're there to support the people that have lost their lives or are continuing their fight against cancer. And by walking all night, we send a sign of solidarity that we're going to be with them every step of the way, and that we're not going to give up on them as long as cancer is out there.”

“Music helps people come together, and when united our society can accomplish amazing things,” said Craig Jamieson of Lucky Widmore. “It was easy to say yes because we were flattered that she asked. Cancer is something that has personally affected us all and will continue to hurt our loved ones if we don't do our part to eradicate such a horrible disease.”

“Anytime you can be a part of something in any way to support a great cause like this it is an honour,” agreed Jeremy James Vinyard of The Creekside Strays. “We're very appreciative of the fact that we've been asked to play music at the event and can hopefully help with its success. It should definitely be a great night!”

For more information about Sing Your Heart Out! A Benefit Concert For Cancer or any of the bands that are performing, visit theapk.ca or look the event up on Facebook. Doors open at 7 p.m., and with a lineup like this you can expect it to be a late night.

And for more of the latest music news and local concert previews, consider following this column on Twitter @fsu_bobbyisms. I'm out of words.