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.

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. All photos by Chris Watkins Photography.