2-day concert to raise funds for Charmaine

IF soccer veterans could do their bit in raising funds for a cancer-stricken child, then why not the music industry?

That was the thought that raced through Mr Friz AB's mind when he first read about four-year-old Charmaine Lim's battle with stage-four cancer.

The little girl was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, a kind of cancer that usually occurs in the adrenal glands of infants and children, in February.

While her chances of survival are a slim 20 per cent if treated locally, this could be significantly raised to as much as 50 per cent with a potentially life-saving treatment available only in New York.

The cost: A prohibitive $500,000. It is a sum that Charmaine's mum, Ms Cynthia Lim, 29, can hardly afford. Ms Lim had to quit her project management job at a water treatment plant to take care of her daughter.

Touched by the little girl's story, Mr Friz was keen to help.

He was particularly inspired to hear how former football stars like Fandi Ahmad and Rafi Ali reunited last month to play a charity match that raised $70,000 for her treatment.

So the ex-radio presenter, who had several music contacts, mooted the idea of a fund-raising concert by posting a note on social networking site Facebook late last month.

Within 10 days, that idea turned to reality on 10 Jul. With the help of various friends and acquaintances who volunteered their time, they managed to confirm the talent line-up and settled on the concert venue.

While the half-a-million target for Charmaine's treatment had been reached earlier this month, thanks to numerous Singaporeans who donated, the fund-raising show will go on.

That's because, as Mr Friz reckons, the family is certain to incur other living and medical expenses in New York, where they will stay for about six months.

Twelve local acts are slated to perform at the charity event, 'Saving Charmaine-Live Your Life 2009' concert at Zouk on 25 Jul (5 to 9pm) and 26 Jul (6pm to 10pm).

The feat is all the more noteworthy considering that the two-day event, which could have cost as much as $40,000 to organise, is run on zero budget and plenty of goodwill.

Local bands like The Great Spy Experiment, Goodfellas, West Grand Boulevard, The Sallys and Voodoo Drums, play at no cost, while the venue is sponsored by Zouk.

Academy of Rock, a music learning centre, is also sponsoring the event's publicity materials.

Said Mr Friz: 'It's passion more than anything else. Everyone's helping because they can and want to.'

Mr Mohd Haris, 20, a member of the 11-man strong percussion group Vodoo Drums said: 'We read about Charmaine (through a link) on Facebook, so we were keen to help.

'Besides, it's good for the soul to help.'

Mr Friz hopes to raise $50,000 for Charmaine through the event. Tickets are at $17 each and can be booked at www.tdc.sg.