Linkin Park’s Chester Bennington Battles Children’s Cancer With Special Hometown Show

Linkin Park took time out of their busy tour schedule to come home — more specifically to help in the fight against children’s cancer.

Front man Chester Bennington, who is from the Phoenix area, and his Grammy-Award winning group rocked the Omni Montelucia Hotel in Paradise Valley for the 5th Annual Stars Of the Season “Black Out Kids Cancer” event benefitting Banner Children’s at Cardon Children’s Medical Center.

According to the East Valley Tribune, the night was described “edgy, fun, with great music and amazing decor” by chairman Dr. David Curran. “Every dollar donated towards Stars of the Season goes directly to the chosen project that year for the kids,” Dr. Curran noted. “People are having fun, but know that every dollar is going directly to the kids.”

According to the Phoenix News Times, the event raised $500,000 for Mesa’s Cardon Medical Center, with donations from the benefit going to establish the first integrative cancer care center west of the Mississippi at the hospital.

“Though the ticket price was mighty steep,” the article said, “the event was packed to the brim. Attendees included current and past Arizona Diamondback players J.J Putz, Josh Collmenter, Brandon McCarthy, Jason Kubel, and NFL legend Steve Young.”

Meanwhile, the site also reported how Bennington and Linkin Park made their way around the hospital itself, bringing about good cheer amongst it’s patients, a ritual for Chester.

“Each year before the event,” the site said, “Bennington pays a visit to the hospital and visits young patients and parents and to hear their stories. This year, Bennington and Linkin Park guitarist Brad Delson toured the facility and met a young boy whose eyes lit up the second the pair entered his hospital room.”

When Linkin Park is not busy using their fame and stature to promote a good cause such as this, they’re also helping out their fellow band members as was the case with DJ Joe Hahn’s first film, Mall, as reported by the Inquisitr. Several members of Linkin Park lent their music to the film’s soundtrack, which includes a free download called “White Noise.”

Founding band member Mike Shinoda recently revealed to Loud Wire during the premiere screening how “Hahn handpicked 10 demos from throughout Linkin Park’s career as a starting point for the music in the film. From there, Hahn, Shinoda, Bennington and bassist Dave Farrell began to work up the songs.”

Linkin Park is currently touring in support their latest album The Hunting Party.