If Tanner Redburn lived to see his 19th birthday, he would have been eager to join the packed house at the Fifth Annual Friends for Life at the Arthur Community Centre Saturday night.?But if Tanner were alive, there would never have been an event in the first place.
Friends for Life is an annual fundraiser for the Childhood Cancer Foundation of Canada, and to date the four previous editions raised in excess of $120,000.
Tanner was 15-years-old when he was first diagnosed in March 2005. After the shock wore off, he and his family tackled the task of battling the disease and had just had a positive update from their medical team when Tanner died suddenly of a blood clot, a side effect of a treatment was taking.? "It was overwhelming, with the emotion," said Cindy Redburn, "but it was our friends, family and this community that got us through the loss."? The Redburns were involved in the community, especially Tanner, who was active in sports such as basketball, lacrosse and served as the Captain of his hockey team. His friends and their families rallied to support the Redburns.?"We realized we had to channel our energy," she said, "and we have another son, we have to go on for him. The alternative simply wasn't an option for us."? The energy generated the concept of a fundraising event that featured her husband John's band, Johnny Panic & The Pushbuttons, as well as their friends in the tight-knit live band world. ? “They were all guys who played together and when we called on them, they said they were in," said Mrs. Redburn. Each year local based bands showcase their talents and provide a night of fun, fellowship and fundraising. Tanner's younger brother, Nathan, is the mastermind behind the collector edition tee shirts with a custom design each year. While some sizes sold out that evening, the Redburns are taking orders, with adult sizes offered at $20 each and youth sizes at $15 each.?Mrs. Redburn said it was a poignant year for the event, most notably because all of Tanner's friends were there.? "It's been so great having them here and seeing them helping out," she said. "We could never do this without the amazing volunteers each year."? It was also the 25th Anniversary for Johnny Panic & The Push Buttons, which was the impetus for the first Friends for Life five years ago.?"John's band had been talking about getting together again in 2005, so when he called them with this idea, they were great about doing it," she recalls.? Roughly 100 volunteers donned Friends for Life shirts and organized the event that evening, but Mrs. Redburn acknowledged it's been months of planning to prepare for each event. Arthur businesses donated cash, as well as raffle prizes such as a barbecue and a Muskoka chair. Local service clubs offered their talents to help ensure Friends for Life is successful and Mrs. Redburn estimated they could make as much as $25,000 this year.? A representative from the Childhood Cancer Foundation of Canada expressed appreciation for the support this grassroots event generates, but one of the most poignant moments was when Scott Densmore addressed the group. Densmore, one of Tanner's close friends, expressed the feelings of loss and remembrance shared by his peers, many of whom were in attendance. ? Part of the decision to use music to remember Tanner was to acknowledge his love of music. ?"He loved music, like his Dad," said Mrs. Redburn, "He dabbled a bit on drums and guitar, and he would have loved the music we have here tonight."? The playbill was loaded with talent, kicking off with The Merlin Rich Band, followed by Loose Change, Sapphire City and wrapping up with the fan favorite, Johnny Panic & The Pushbuttons. Brendon Mernagh of Fergus was added for a solo, much to the delight of the capacity crowd.? Before his set Mr. Redburn brought his wife and son Nathan up to the stage, as they do every year. He thanked the crowd for their loyal support.? "It takes a village to raise a child," he said, echoing the sentiment on the back of his son's commemorative tees. "It takes a village to save a child!"? ?