2021 Sock Out Cancer® Benefit Concerts Hit a High Note

The annual Sock Out Cancer® benefit concert hit new highs in 2021, doubling the fun and funds raised!

The first ever back-to-back benefit concerts took place at The Crouse Hinds Theatre in Syracuse on Friday, October 8th, and at The Broome County Forum on Saturday, October 9^th.  Featuring “A Musical Tribute to Elton John & Billy Joel,” Philip Myers and Matt Cusson, backed by the world-traveled Philip Myers’ band, had the audiences singing and clapping along to all the classic hits such as “Piano Man,” “My Life,” “Benny and the Jets,” “Rocket Man” and so many more.

Security Mutual Life Chairman Bruce W. Boyea had the honor of opening both events and announcing the outstanding fundraising results. He saluted each of the hospital foundations for the amazing effort they put forth every day saying, “Keep up the great work and know that it’s great to be your partner.”

Boyea expressed his heartfelt appreciation for the generous support of the co-presenting sponsors – McNeil & Co. in Syracuse, and  Visions Federal Credit Union in Binghamton – and to all the sponsors – as each were instrumental in making this year’s concert series a success!  Because of the generous support of our sponsors, the shows’ production costs were covered, and the net proceeds from each ticket purchased went directly to benefit the cancer patients of the hospital foundations. Once again, the fundraising goals were surpassed, and the October 8^th concert in  Syracuse raised $35,000 each for the Crouse Health Foundation, St. Joseph’s Health Foundation, and Upstate Cancer Center; and the concert at the Forum Theatre in Binghamton on October 9^th also raised $35,000 each for the Lourdes Hospital Foundation, the UHS Foundation, and Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital.

The hospital foundations will allocate the funds to their cancer patients who need help paying for non-medical needs such as food, housing, and transportation, thereby helping relieve some of the financial burdens these patients are experiencing and allowing them to better focus on fighting Cancer.

Each year more than 200 cancer patients and their families are invited to attend the benefit concert. This year’s Sock Out Cancer performances were also made available via livestream for the patients and their families to enjoy the concert from the safety and comfort of their home.

“I do want you to know, however, the seats that we allocated for you are open, we did not fill them because they belong to you,” said Boyea. “We are, of course, looking forward to having you personally fill these seats next year! I hope wherever you are watching this show, that you have a great night and have a lot of fun and that you realize how much the volunteer group at Sock Out Cancer cares about you.”

Symbolizing Boyea’s comments, the seats reserved specifically for the cancer patients and their families were filled with hand-made posters from the foundations’ employees containing messages of love, support and inspiration for the audience at home!

The concerts’ grand finale came as a very special surprise for everyone.  Separate and distinct from the musical tribute to Elton John & Billy Joel, the band debuted Sock Out Cancer’s theme song “Together We Stand.” With lights dimmed and the chorus line displayed on the large projection screen – the audience united with the band voicing their support for all those whose lives have been affected by cancer as they sang:

 JOIN THE CAUSE, OFFER HOPE
MAKE A DIFFERENCE WE PRAY
IN THE LIVES THAT ARE TOUCHED
BY CANCER TODAY
STANDING STRONG SIDE BY SIDE
WE ARE JOINED HAND IN HAND
WITH LOVE IN OUR HEARTS AND WITH FAITH
TOGETHER WE STAND

Be sure to watch for the 2022 Sock Out Cancer Benefit Concert announcement – we are looking forward to having you with us!

“Together We Stand” was co-written by Philip & Kim Myers, Matt Cusson and Natalie Murphy and is featured on the Sock Out Cancer CD