New Jersey internet radio station BlowUpRadio.com will host a webathon benefit the weekend of March 5-6 to support a foundation dedicated to providing financial assistance to those in need of transplants – an idea inspired by a veteran musician who has done countless performances over the years.

The benefit webathon, Giving a Second Chance: a Benefit for National Foundation for Transplants will feature over 25 artists each performing a 30 minute set of their music live. The artists traverse a gambit of genres from easy listening to punk rock, and all sorts of genres in between.

As these challenging times call for enhanced safety protocols at live concerts, this webathon will be strictly virtual, and can be heard from the comfort of one’s home on BlowUpRadio.com. All artists will be performing remotely.

The National Foundation for Transplants (NFT) is a national, non-profit organization dedicated to helping individuals who are in need of organ or tissue transplants through financial assistance, advocacy, and emotional support. NFT sets up local fund-raising campaigns in honor of patients enrolled with NFT.

A special donation page will be set up on the National Foundation for Transplants website for people to donate during the webathon. Everyone who donates will get a download of a special compilation, containing over 40 previously unreleased songs.

“When my friend, musician Catherine Wacha, who has been a part of BlowUpRadio.com events for years including benefits we have previously worked on together for Lupus, as well as her own transplant, asked if we could put together a benefit for the National Foundation for Transplants I was thrilled,” says Lazlo, the founder of BlowUpRadio.com. “Looking at what this non-profit has done to help those in need of transplants, I am so happy to both spread the word about what they do, as well as raise money to help them in their important work.”

“I can tell you from first hand experience that managing a chronic illness is a stressful endeavor both mentally and financially,” says Catherine Wacha. “After 20 years of battling Lupus and the Chronic Kidney Disease, I found myself in need of a kidney transplant. I had health insurance but a transplant surgery costs $250,000-$300,000 if everything goes well. So, not only was I incredibly stressed about needing a rather extreme treatment but I had no idea exactly how much I was going to owe but did know I’d be out of work without pay for at least 3 months. The National Foundation For Transplants helped ease the burden for me. When Lazlo asked if I wanted to work on a benefit with him in the spring I thought this would be the perfect time to be able to give back and help some of the people who may not otherwise reach their needed goal.”

Artists scheduled to perform during Giving a Second Chance: a Benefit for National Foundation for Transplants Webathon include: AFTYN, Bosco & Peck, Catherine Wacha, Christian Beach, Commons 2, Diego Allessandro, Don Lee, Greg McGarvey, Happy Joe Canzano, Jason Didner, Jason Michael, Laree Cisco, Mark Parker, Matt Colligan, Motherface, Nick & Jack of (Nick and the Leg-Heavy Boys), Pat Veil, Red Sammy, Shotgun Bill, Teen Idle, The Brixton Riot, The Fisherman & The Sea, The Maravines, The Mighty Alrighty, The Random Hubiak, The Wag, Tony Tedesco (artists performing are subject to change.)

The digital compilation, which will be available by donating to the National Foundation for Transplants will include previously unreleased songs from: AFTYN, Alex Klages, Amanda Rose Riley, Amanda West, Beth Gray, Bosco & Peck, Brian Junker, Bruce Tunkel, Catherine Wacha, Chris Brown, Christian Beach, Craig Suiter, Dan Sped, Deena, Diego Allessandro, Dragondreams, Ezra Gale, Frank Patrouch, Garret Kirby, Geoff Saavedra, Gwyn Jones, Happy Joe Canzano, Jason Challis featuring Catherine Wacha, Jason Didner, Jason Michael, John Nicholson, Laree Cisco, Mark Parker, Matt Colligan, Pat Veil, Peral Manhattan, Richard Provan, Robyn Mackenzie, Scott Making Cents, Shotgun Bill, Simon Ashby, Teen Idle, The Brixton Riot, The Fisherman & The Sea, The Maravines, The Mighty Alrighty, The Random Hubiak, Tony Tedesco (artists on compilation are subject to change.)

National Foundation for Transplants exists to save lives and remove barriers which delay or prevent transplantation. NFT is headquartered in Memphis, TN and serves all 50 states and U.S. Territories.  

BlowUpRadio.com is “Where NJ Rock Lives”. For over 21 years they have been a website & Internet radio station supporting New Jersey’s local, original music scene by playing predominantly unsigned New Jersey bands.