Stories from The Hip

Music Without Borders: GEDFest, Community, & Supporting the Breast Cancer Network of WNY

Episode Summary

This week on Dropped Among This Crowd, I am joined by GEDFest co-founder Keith Dyck and Breast Cancer Network of Western New York (BCN) Program Director Rachel Wallmeyer. We dive into a deep conversation about the nine-year history of GEDFest, the incredible growth the movement has seen, and the launch of the very first U.S. chapter right here in Buffalo. We talk about the heart and resilience of the Buffalo community, and why cancer doesn’t care about borders—and neither does music. Then, the conversation shifts to GEDFest Buffalo, how this chapter took shape over the past year, and how my own breast cancer journey over the last year shaped the planning of this event more than I ever anticipated. I share a bit about what BCN did for me during my own journey, and how special it is to give back in such a big way. Rachel also shares the incredible work BCN does across Western New York, the backstory of how the organization has grown since the late 1980s, the importance of keeping funds local, and what it’s like to do something different by using a rock show to reach new audiences and raise vital funds. Key Highlights: • The 9-year history and growth of GEDFest honoring Gord Downie. • Bringing the first U.S. chapter of GEDFest to Buffalo, NY. • Why cancer doesn't care about borders, and how music unites us. • A personal look at my breast cancer journey this past year, and giving back to BCN. • The backstory of BCN WNY and their work supporting local families since 1988. • Using a live rock show to engage a whole new audience in local advocacy. • Why keeping fundraising dollars 100% local matters for Western New York.

Episode Notes

This week on Dropped Among This Crowd, I am joined by GEDFest co-founder Keith Dyck and Breast Cancer Network of Western New York (BCN) Program Director Rachel Wallmeyer.

We dive into a deep conversation about the nine-year history of GEDFest, the incredible growth the movement has seen, and the launch of the very first U.S. chapter right here in Buffalo. We talk about the heart and resilience of the Buffalo community, and why cancer doesn’t care about borders—and neither does music.

Then, the conversation shifts to GEDFest Buffalo, how this chapter took shape over the past year, and how my own breast cancer journey over the last year shaped the planning of this event more than I ever anticipated. I share a bit about what BCN did for me during my own journey, and how special it is to give back in such a big way.

Rachel also shares the incredible work BCN does across Western New York, the backstory of how the organization has grown since the late 1980s, the importance of keeping funds local, and what it’s like to do something different by using a rock show to reach new audiences and raise vital funds.

Key Highlights:

• The 9-year history and growth of GEDFest honoring Gord Downie.

• Bringing the first U.S. chapter of GEDFest to Buffalo, NY.

• Why cancer doesn't care about borders, and how music unites us.

• A personal look at my breast cancer journey this past year, and giving back to BCN.

• The backstory of BCN WNY and their work supporting local families since 1988.

• Using a live rock show to engage a whole new audience in local advocacy.

• Why keeping fundraising dollars 100% local matters for Western New York.

👉 GET TICKETS: https://www.thecazbuffalo.com/shows/ged-fest-26-w-the-strictly-hip-17-oct

💖 DONATE DIRECTLY: https://givebutter.com/gedfest-buffalo-vje1zp/donate

🎟️ VENUE WEBSITE: thecazbuffalo.com

💗 SUPPORT THE CAUSE: Learn more about BCN of WNY at bcnwny.org