Rock Against Cancer is a nonprofit that supports and empowers pediatric cancer patients by providing
Music Therapy and innovative music programs.

1. “Hot Topic Foundation School of Rock” program provides a Board Certified Music Therapist, donated instruments, and/or digital recording studio equipment to Children’s Oncology Group treatment centers. This program currently operates in many of the country’s top hospitals, including:

The Eugenia Litta Children’s Hospital at the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN; Mattel Children’s Hospital at the University of California, Los Angeles, CA; University of California San Francisco Children’s Hospital at UCSF Medical Center, San Francisco, CA; North Carolina Children’s Hospital, Chapel Hill, NC; Tomorrows Children’s Institute for Cancer and Blood Disorders, The Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital, Hackensack, NJ; Levine Children’s Hospital at Carolinas Medical Center, Charlotte, NC; Primary Children’s Medical Center, Salt Lake City, UT; Duke Children’s Hospital, Durham, NC; Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Egelston and Children’s Scottish Rite Hospitals and Children’s National Medical Center, Washington, D.C.

2. "Stars Night Out" is a program that provides young cancer patients the chance of a lifetime. They get to meet some of today’s top music artists while enjoying personal photographs, autographs. and special concert seating. Artists lending support to young cancer patients through RAC’s “Stars Night Out” program include:

Bon Jovi, Beyoncé, Gwen Stefani and No Doubt, Rob Thomas and Matchbox Twenty, Edwin McCain, Barenaked Ladies, Hootie & the Blowfish, Mary J. Blige, Goo Goo Dolls, Nelly Furtado, Sister Hazel, Avril Lavigne, Black Eyed Peas, Red Hot Chili Peppers and the Dave Matthews Band.

3. The "Gifts from the Heart" program serves children unable to leave the hospital. This program brings the gift of music to their bedsides, with help from major recording labels.  Children receive a gift bag containing CDs, concert DVDs, t-shirts, temporary tattoos, gold ribbon pins, glow sticks and more. RAC deeply appreciates the generous support of the following record labels and artists: 

Universal Records, A & M Records, Interscope Records, Geffen, Rounder Records, Reprise Records, Gavin DeGraw, Jack Johnson, JoJo, Sister Hazel, The Darcie Miner Band, John Taglieri, 3 Doors Down, Matchbox Twenty, Allison Krauss and Godsmack.

The family and friends of Gabriel Titus founded Rock Against Cancer in January 2000.  Diagnosed with childhood leukemia in 1996, Gabe successfully completed three years of chemotherapy. Gabe listened to music frequently during treatment to help him deal with nausea, pain and anxiety; his favorite CD was David Gray’s “White Ladder.” After their experiences, Gabe and his family resolved to help young cancer patient’s deal with the long and painful treatment process through music.

‘Making music part of the cure’ allows children to feel emotionally empowered, in addition to decreasing treatment related anxiety, nausea, and pain while increasing motivation, confidence, and treatment cooperation.  These effects positively influence the entire treatment and recovery process. Rock Against Cancer’s unique approach combines the expertise of Board Certified Music Therapists, Child Life specialists, community leaders, and families that have survived cancer. This approach, combined with especially positive hospital relations, allows Rock Against Cancer to efficiently implement and evaluate its programs. A positive cancer diagnosis and the resulting treatment processes are truly traumatic experiences. Rock Against Cancer’s programs humanize the treatment process for children and teens, making them feel cared about and more at ease. 
Additionally, RAC advocates for young cancer patients, helping to garner public awareness and increase research funding; RAC actively lobbies elected officials and participates in Childhood Cancer Awareness Month activities throughout September. RAC’s ultimate goal is to support and encourage the youngest cancer survivors in addition to honoring the children who have been lost to cancer.