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Bands rock the Relay for Life benefit concert
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Neighbors | Shaiyla Hakeem .Mineral Ridge's Kianna Cameron (left), Youngstown's Garrett Kinnel and Austintown's Mark Uroseva are members of the band SicKasMe. They hosted an the Rock the Relay event at Jillians April 10 as a fundraising event for Relay for Life.
By SHAIYLA HAKEEM
Bands varying from rock and roll to heavy metal united April 10 in a benefit concert to support the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life.
The event was orchestrated by local band SicKasMe, with the help of Jillian’s in the Southern Park Mall.
SicKasMe band members Mark Uroseva, of Austintown, Mineral Ridge’s Kianna Cameron and YSU’s Garrett Kinnel officially became a band on Oct. 13, but quickly decided that they wanted to do something big for the community.
“We wanted to do a nice charity and we thought, what better could there be than a concert?” Uroseva said.
Each year, Relay for Life participants raise money in unique and original ways to support cancer research. SicKasMe chose to use its natural talent to support a cause they felt was bigger than their group.
Jared Brauer is a Poland High School graduate who is a leukemia survivor. Nick Uroseva, SicKasMe band manager, is good friends with Joelle Pompili who is co-captain for Team Jared, a team participating in Boardman’s Relay for LIfe. Brauer is the captain.
Through talking and brainstorming for the perfect charitable event to participate in, Rock the Relay was born.
“We originally were going to do a benefit for Akron Children’s Hospital, but we thought, ‘Well we know Jared and we thought it would be a good idea,’” Kinnel said.
A benefit concert was put together at Jillian’s to raise money for Relay for Life. All proceeds raised will be donated through Boardman’s relay team, Team Jared. Boardman’s Relay for Life will be held at Boardman Center Middle School May 14 at 6 p.m. and ending May 15 at 6 p.m.
Sharla Holstein, of Youngstown, heard of the concert from an invitation that was sent to her on her MySpace account. Her and her son decided to do their part, in support of Relay for Life, and come out to Jillian’s to support the benefit concert.
“I think it was a pretty good idea. It’s nice that people came out to the concert to support the cause,” Holstein said.
The concert featured seven bands, including SicKasMe, from Youngstown, Alliance, Cleveland and New Castle. Concession sales, along with two 50/50 raffles, were used as additional avenues to raise money.
SicKasMe’s name is not meant to be offensive. It originated from their love of music. Sick, meaning awesome, not physically ill.
“It’s a music thing, people aren’t as ‘sick as me’ about music,” said Cameron.
Rock the Relay was the group’s first event in support of Relay for Life, but they said it won’t be their last.
“We hope to make this a yearly event. It’s a big thing and we want to make it our own,” Kinnel said.