Airbandz raises $23K for cancer foundation

More than two hours of lip-syncing later, one band was crowned the winner of the annual LUAirbandz contest, and $23,000 had been raised for the Northern Cancer Foundation.

The annual LUAirbandz for Cancer event on Feb. 9 brings the total to just under $150,000 over a 10-year period for the cancer foundation , according to a news release.

“We couldn’t be happier with the outcome,” said event organizer, Joe McGibbon. “The students start preparing for this event as early as September and we are so proud of their dedication to this fundraiser.”

In addition to the musical event, the students canvassed the streets in Greater Sudbury early last week and held small internal fundraisers to reach their fundraising total.

The LUAirbandz for Cancer event was founded by Michael “Dex” Brown, who was a student attending Laurentian University in 2003.

With the help and encouragement of their resident advisers, the event has become one of the highlights of the students' year. A panel of guest judges are selected to participate and rate the performances based on creativity, enthusiasm and overall appeal.

The group, Celebration, was declared the 2013 LUAirbandz for Cancer winners, with a second-place finish for The Misfits and a third-place finish for the group Those Guys.

The sold-out crowd exploded when the winners were announced.

“The judges vote was unanimous,” exclaimed Tannys Laughren, executive director of the Northern Cancer Foundation, and one of the evening's judges. “We (the NCF) really look forward to this event. It’s a way for the students to have fun while supporting the community where they’ve come to learn.”

To see highlights from the event, visit the Northern Cancer Research Foundation’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ncrfsudbury