Concert in Blue Springs benefits cancer patients

A concert Saturday night will feature local performers and will benefit cancer patients and soccer scholarship recipients.

The Jennifer Ireland Benefit concert at 7 p.m. Saturday in the performing arts center at Blue Springs High School will feature the bands Destination Go and Liverpool. In addition, several Blue Springs High School students will sing, said Bob Rusert, a Blue Springs High School English teacher who is organizing the show.

Doors for open at 6 p.m. with the concert. In addition to the entertainment, a concession stand also will be open. Members of the KC Wizards ambassadors will host a hospitality room during the concert.

Tickets can be purchased at the door for $15 for adults, $10 for high school students and $8 for students younger than age 15, Rusert said.

Proceeds will benefit several local causes, including the Ireland Foundation, which was established about a year ago to help cancer victims throughout the country.

Jennifer Ireland was a Blue Springs High School graduate, soccer player, wife and mother of two young children when she died of colon cancer. Her husband, Chris Ireland, established the foundation to help other parents battling cancer. So far, the foundation has helped patients by supplying grants.

The foundation raises money through fundraisers, such as the upcoming benefit concert.

Chris Ireland said he and Jennifer discussed establishing a foundation before she died and had decided to proceed regardless of whether her treatments were successful.

“In the scenario that she would have beat this thing, I think it would have been nice for her to see others benefiting from our efforts.”

Through the group’s efforts, they’ve been able to help many cancer patients financially. Chris said the personal stories of the patients’ struggles touch him personally.

“Every new story I hear causes me to think that I can’t imagine being in their shoes,” he said. “Then I pinch myself and realize I was there.”

The Blue Springs High School Alumni Association also will receive a portion of the proceeds to establish scholarships for area students. In addition, a portion of the proceeds will be donated to Brittany Hill Middle School orchestra teacher Debbie Wasko, who is battling cancer.