Ben Kellogg had known Merritt Navazio for about two years when Navazio was diagnosed with leukemia.
“I was pretty shocked,” Kellogg said.
The two met in Jazz band in Churchill High School and had become friends. They formed their own band, The Nothing Squad, not long after with some friends.
Merritt then discovered that he had leukemia.
“I was pretty worried. I’ve never had anyone close to me diagnosed with something life threatening,” Kellogg said.
Navazio spent months in the hospital during rounds of chemotherapy. “It wasn’t fun by any means,” Navazio said.
Kellogg and some other friends initially tried to help Merritt by relieving his boredom. “We bought him a Nintendo Game Cube so he could have something to do,” Kellogg said.
But, Kellogg wanted to do more so he organized a benefit concert.
“I feel the need to raise awareness and pretty much help out and do what I know how to do,” Kellogg said.
He organized and promoted the Merritthon last year, with all funds raised going to the Leukemia society of America. During last year’s show, the Merritthon’s 12 bands attracted approximately 500 people and raised almost $2,000 for research.
“I was proud of him and kind of honored,” Navazio said.
In the meantime, Navazio had gone to the Fred Hutchinson center in Seattle where he received a bone marrow transplant.
The procedure was a success and he has been cancer free for a year, but the Merritthon goes on to continue to support leukemia research.
Kellogg has continued to promote the show, getting 14 bands, including local favorites The Pietasters to donate their performances.
“They’re all from the local music scene,” said Kellogg, who organized the concert from his dorm room at Towson State. “I’ve seen them or I’m friends with them.”
Both young men are hoping that this year’s show will be an even larger success.
“They might not be here for the cause, but they’re still supporting it,” Navazio said.