“The Allman Brothers will be part of a benefit concert.” Now, would that statement ordinarily cause a lot of excitement for me? Honestly, no. Not that I don’t enjoy some of their great classics: “Midnight Rider,” “Rambling Man,” “Whipping Post,” “Melissa”… but I would never consider myself a big follower of their music. Which is fine, C’est la vie and all that. But when I learn that this concert is being put on in coordination with the American Liver Foundation, I’m all ears. I’d say, “I’m all liver”, but that’s just a bit too awkward.
Tune In to Hep C Presents The Allman Brothers Band, will take place at The Beacon Theatre in New York City on July 27, the eve of World Hepatitis Day. Tickets are on sale now, and are available at LiveNation.com, Ticketmaster.com, select Ticketmaster locations and charge by phone at 800-745-3000. Tickets are also available at The Beacon Theatre box office.
This week happened to mark the one-year anniversary of Gregg Allman’s liver transplant. As it happens, it’s been about one year and almost two months since my son Tom’s liver transplant. And for the most part, that’s really the only thing Tom and Allman have in common. Tom was 12 when he was diagnosed with liver disease, Allman was an adult. Tom had Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis, while the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer suffered from Hepatitis C. But they both came to realize how damn important the liver is, and have become advocates of the ALF, and the important work they do.
A month later he was officially listed for a liver transplant. Around that same time, we decided to form a team for the Liver Life Walk that was held in Boston. This began our relationship with the American Liver Foundation. In September, we had an enthusiastic team of friends and relatives who walked the five-mile route and helped us raise over $10,000.00 to fight liver disease.
He even took it a step further. This May 2nd, which was his first year anniversary of his transplant, Tom arranged a large school assembly, including speakers from the New England Organ Bank, the ALF, and a local celebrity, a regional meteorologist, all to ask his fellow classmates to consider walking in next September’s Liver Life Walk.
Earlier I said that Tom and Gregg Allman only had liver disease and their transplants in common. But that’s not true. They are both dedicated to helping raise awareness and funds for liver disease research and education. Proceeds from the benefit concert will be donated to community-based organizations that provide education and support services to people with chronic hepatitis C.
Source:www.abbanetwork.com
