Sister Hazel, John Rzeznik and Surprise Guest Stan Lynch Unite for Powerful Lyrics for Life Benefit, Raising Over $800K

Since its founding, the Lyrics for Life nonprofit has raised more than $6 million for cancer research and patient care—helping researchers achieve a cure rate exceeding 92% for the cancer that inspired its mission.

Photo credit - Chris Watkins Photography

Platinum-selling band, Sister Hazel, hosted the eighth annual Lyrics for Life – An Evening of Making Music Matter on Saturday, March 07, 2026 in their hometown of Gainesville, Florida, raising more than $800,000 for the Florida Cancer Specialists Foundation and STOP! Children’s Cancer. Presented by Rich and Carissa Blaser, the event brought together music, storytelling and philanthropy for an intimate night benefiting cancer research and patient care.

The evening began with a rare acoustic storytelling performance from Sister Hazel's Ken Block and Drew Copeland, joined by special guest John Rzeznik of Goo Goo Dolls. The trio performed stripped-down versions of some of their most beloved songs while sharing personal stories with the audience. 

"We’re in a room full of love tonight," Rzeznik told the crowd. "You came out to a show, you get dressed up, and you’re doing something bigger than yourself. This is a powerful thing. We have more in common than we do differences. We can all gather around one thing that we all have in common – we can fight about everything else out on the street – but it doesn’t come into this room full of love tonight."

One of the evening’s most powerful moments came when childhood cancer patient Haley Williams took the stage to perform "You Don’t Know Me," a powerful song written by Paul Privette that reflects the realities of a cancer journey and the hope made possible through the support of others. Her moving performance brought the audience to tears and inspired an immediate giving moment that raised more than $80,000 during the song alone.

The show concluded with two unforgettable collaborations as John Rzeznik joined Sister Hazel for "Give A Little Bit," before the finale of "American Girl" that featured a surprise appearance by Stan Lynch, the former drummer of Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers. Lynch was visibly moved as Sister Hazel and Rzeznik circled him in applause, backed by a thunderous ovation from the crowd. 

Sister Hazel’s philanthropic mission is driven through Lyrics for Life, the nonprofit founded by lead singer Ken Block in honor of his late brother, Jeffrey Block. Since its founding, the organization has raised more than $6 million for cancer research and patient care, including over $3.5 million generated through its annual events in Gainesville, FL alone.

A major beneficiary has been STOP! Children’s Cancer, which has received more than $1.2 million from Lyrics for Life to support pediatric oncology programs at UF Health. That support has helped researchers achieve a cure rate exceeding 92% for the type of cancer Jeffrey Block faced, a milestone that highlights the organization’s real-world impact.

To learn more about Lyrics for Life and discover ways to contribute to this vital cause, visit https://www.lyricsforlife.org/.

About Sister Hazel:

Originating from Gainesville, Florida, Sister Hazel is comprised of five seasoned musicians whose career spans nearly three decades. Their hit song "All for You" soared to the top of the adult alternative charts in the summer of 1997, driving their album to achieve platinum status. Since then, the band has established itself across rock, alternative, and country genres, with multiple entries on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart. Renowned for their deep connection with fans, Sister Hazel helped pioneer the themed cruise and destination event industry with the launch of The Rock Boat and continues to host signature fan experiences including Hazelnut Hang and Euro Hang. The band maintains a strong digital presence, engaging more than one million followers across social media platforms.

Beyond music, Sister Hazel is deeply committed to philanthropy through Lyrics For Life, the nonprofit organization founded by lead singer Ken Block. To date, Lyrics For Life has raised more than $6 million for cancer research and patient care, including over $3.5 million generated through its annual Gainesville, FL events alone. The organization has donated more than $1.2 million to STOP Children’s Cancer in support of pediatric cancer programs at UF Health—funding that directly contributed to achieving a cure rate exceeding 92% for the type of cancer faced by Ken’s brother, Jeffrey Block.

About Lyrics for Life:

Lyrics for Life is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization whose mission is to make a difference in the fight against pediatric cancer. Sister Hazel frontman, Ken Block, and his band mates founded Lyrics for Life in memory of Ken’s younger brother, Jeffrey, who ultimately lost his four-year battle with cancer that started at age 14. The charity unites musicians and celebrities for concert events, auctions, and other fundraising efforts. The monies raised are donated to groups that are working to find a cure, as well as those aiming to enrich the lives of patients and their families. From research to summer camps and family support groups, we are surrounding this disease and conquering it from every angle. Artists participate in many ways, often by donating handwritten lyrics to one of their songs on anything from a simple sheet of paper to a surfboard to some other unique item, which we offer for auction at one of our Lyrics for Life events. Our team of musicians, volunteers, sponsors, and supporters set high goals for the future. We accept the challenge to find new ways of raising money and awareness and to help make each day a little brighter until there is a cure.  http://www.lyricsforlife.org/

About The Florida Cancer Specialists (FCS) Foundation:

The Florida Cancer Specialists (FCS) Foundation provides financial support to qualified cancer patients in the state of Florida for expenses such as rent or mortgage, car payments and utility bills. By giving patients peace of mind in knowing that their bills are being paid while they are undergoing treatment, the FCS Foundation allows them to concentrate on what really matters – fighting cancer. Due to the generosity of the Florida Cancer Specialists physicians in covering all overhead expenses for the Foundation, 100% of donations received go directly towards paying the essential non-medical living expenses of an adult battling cancer. The Foundation is a 501(3)(c) nonprofit organization and located at 5985 Silver Falls Run, Suite 210, Bradenton, FL 34211. Learn more about the FCS Foundation at:  FCSF.org. For more information, call 941.677.7186 or email Events@FLCancer.com.