Downloads help fight cancer

Downloading music, whether legal or illegal, is a popular pastime for many college students. As the music industry phases into a new era of reaching fans over the Internet, the Asher Kahn Band, of Philadelphia, is working to make a difference in society in its attempts to gain new listeners.\nIn conjunction with the American Cancer Society, the Asher Kahn Band launched "Down With Disease: Download For the Cure" in early August. By asking downloaders to donate 99 cents to listen to the band's song "We Get By," a song the ACS felt embodied the emotion of battling cancer, the campaign raises money to fight the disease.\nAsher Kahn and his band mates, Aaron Boczkowski and the "Commodore," met at Penn State University. After graduation the friends created the band that plays "the good kind" of music, Kahn said. \nWhen a friend was diagnosed with cancer, the band members felt helpless and wanted to contribute in some way. \n"The diagnosis made us want to do something in that world," said Kahn. \nThe campaign to raise funds helped them use their artistic ability to cope with their friend's illness. \nNow the friend is in remission and back to playing music.\nAccording to recent data from the ACS, over 156 people find out they have cancer every hour. By visiting iTunes, Audio Lunchbox and other download sites, listeners can aid in the fight against cancer with a small donation.\n"I have no doubt that this program will find success and provide us with a link to a new audience," said Mark Drill, regional income development director of the ACS in Philadelphia. "Each download will help us reach another person with cancer awareness." \nAs the band awaits the August results of those who downloaded its song, it looks toward Dec. 31, when the campaign will end. If it turns out to be a viable fund-raiser, the ACS will open up the opportunity to other independent artists. Currently about 60 cents of the funds raised through the band's campaign go directly to fight cancer. A portion goes to the download store, but the band receives no money from the downloading. \n"Our reward is a chance to use our music for something a little bit bigger, and contribute to a good cause," Kahn said. \nIndependent bands sell their music nationally and internationally with the music purchasers only spending a dollar for a virtually unknown band. The Asher Kahn Band hopes to gain new fans outside the local arena, but mainly they want to help those who suffer from cancer.\n"If we reach our goal, it will mean 2,000 people believed in the fight against cancer," Kahn said.\n-- Contact staff writer Lyndsay Gilman at lkgilman@indiana.edu.