Dave Matthews Band Donates Show Tickets to New York 9/11 Heroes for Sold Out MSG Show - Part of 'Stand Up For A Cure' 2008 Concert Series

A group of New York's 9/11 heroes will be special guests at Stand Up For A Cure's sold-out September 10th concert by Grammy(R) winning Dave Matthews Band at Madison Square Garden.



New York-based non-profit, Stand Up For A Cure created the 2008 Concert Series as a year-long effort to raise funds and awareness for lung cancer research and treatment. Because many emergency workers have been diagnosed with lung cancer and lung related diseases after working at Ground Zero, the band and charity decided to donate tickets to New York 9/11 first responders and their families from the FDNY, NYPD and emergency medical services.



"We wanted to give something back to these heroes whose work at Ground Zero is truly inspiring," says Jordan Belkin, founder and executive producer of Stand Up for a Cure.



Bob Young, a retired NYPD Lieutenant, who lost his police officer son to lung cancer after working at Ground Zero, was one of the inspirations for this: "My son was a NY city detective who reported to the World Trade Center to assist in the search for victims, property and evidence on September 11th.  He died of lung cancer at the age of 48. John was a healthy non-smoker, hardly a coincidence," says his grieving father.



Tickets for the September 10th show can be purchased through Ticketmaster using the password dmbcure.  Exclusive VIP packages (party, premium seating, gift, and photo op with the band) can be purchased directly from the charity by calling 212-209-3871. A portion of ticket sales is tax deductible.



Comprised of Carter Beauford (drums), Stefan Lessard (bass), Dave Matthews (vocals, guitar), LeRoi Moore (saxophone) and Boyd Tinsley (violin) -- Dave Matthews Band has sold a collective 35 million units (CD and DVD combined) since the 1994 release of its major label debut, Under the Table and Dreaming. Last February, Bon Jovi was the first to perform in the Series of exclusive, private shows, which has included performances by Jerry Seinfeld and Brian Wilson. The Series has been made possible by sponsors and private donors.



According to the National Cancer Institute, lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death among both men and women in the United States and it will kill more people this year than breast cancer, prostate cancer, and colorectal cancer combined. About 84% of all lung cancers are diagnosed at an advanced stage -- including smokers and nonsmokers -- and only about 16% of all patients survive this disease after five years.



About Stand Up For A Cure (www.sufac.org) -- Stand Up For A Cure was founded to raise awareness and funding for lung cancer research, treatment and education. Since then, they have expanded the scope of their efforts to include other forms of cancer and allied diseases such as HIV/AIDS.



Stand Up For A Cure's relationships with some of the finest medical institutions, research institutes and government agencies allows them to direct support and funding to those programs which demonstrate the most evidence-based hope for progress. 



To purchase tickets, visit www.sufac.org or call 212-209-3871.