2nd Annual Karaoke for the Kure in West Hollywood Raises Six Figures Again!

Wow. That’s the first thing that comes to mind to describe Because of Ezra’s second annual Karaoke for the Kure event at The Troubadour in West Hollywood this Monday. Hundreds of our wonderful supporters came out and rocked a stage steeped in rock and roll legend. Seattle band Rockaraoke played live backup for the dauntless karaoke performers, laying down everything from TLC’s No Scrubs to Carley Rae Jepsen’s Call Me Maybe to a crowd-jumping rendition of Nirvana’s Smells Like Teen Spirit, sang with some serious Seattle grungy vibes by Mr Craig Robinson.

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A packed house and amazing sponsors helped us raise over $100,000 directly benefitting research into a cure for neuroblastoma. Dr Giselle Sholler, chair of the NMTRC, also attended the event and spoke of some of the groundbreaking research her team is doing to cure pediatric cancer. A video by AJ Hurley shared a look into neuroblastoma and how Because of Ezra and supporters like you are helping to fight it.

Because of Ezra founders Robyn and Kyle Matthews, Ezra’s parents, also spoke. “Today would have been Ezra’s first day of kindergarten,” said Robyn. “Instead of taking him to school, I’m here raising money so other kids can have their first days of kindergarten… and first grade, and sixth grade, and get to graduate. That helps to make me still Ezra’s mom.”

The Karaoke for the Kure event is also being thrown in Tampa this year, on what would have been Ezra’s 5th birthday, August 31st. Tickets are available here.

Funds raised support Because of Ezra’s mission of raising money to support relevant neuroblastoma research and clinical trials. Neuroblastoma is the most common cancer in infants, with only a 40% survival rate in stage 4, the most common diagnosis. Ezra died of neuroblastoma in 2010, living exactly 800 days.

Thank you to everyone who attended, sang, donated, and made this party one of the best we’ve ever been to. Your support is appreciated! As we spend time throughout the year with families going through neuroblastoma treatment now, we are reminded constantly how important this is.

We are also incredibly grateful to our sponsors. Many back for the second year in a row, they help make this event a reality! A huge thanks to the splendid Kosha Shah for chairing the event, our amazing host committee, and our tireless volunteers. Our board also deserve thanks, Marissa Devins (who sang “Call Me Maybe” with pure joy), Erica Copeland, Derek Pupello, and Ezra’s parents Kyle and Robyn Matthews. Matt Rice for his stunning karaoke performance and event MC’ing also gets a thank you. Seriously – everyone who helped make this happen are brilliant people, and have our love. Thank you.