The Karen Chandler Trust will launch its 2026 fundraising concert series Saturday, Jan. 17, with Mosh Out Cancer, a hard rock and metal showcase designed to raise financial support and community awareness for local cancer patients and their families. The event will be held at Veterans of Foreign Wars Corporal Rodolfo P. Hernandez Post 670, located at 3928 Doc Bennett Road. Doors open at 6 p.m., with music beginning at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 and will be available both online and at the door.
Brian Manginoyat, speaking on behalf of the Karen Chandler Trust, said the concert reflects the organization’s long-standing connection to the local music community and its mission to provide practical, immediate support to individuals facing cancer-related hardships.
The lineup features five local hard rock and metal acts: Moriar, Ethris, 11:59, Fear State, and headliner Crooked Cult. Manginoyat noted that the selection of bands aligns with the trust’s roots and honors the memory of Karen Chandler, whose life and legacy continue to shape the organization’s work.
Founded in Fayetteville, the Karen Chandler Trust is a volunteer-run 501(c)(3) nonprofit created in memory of Chandler, a local musician and single mother who battled cancer. Members of the trust’s board said the organization was established to carry forward her compassion by assisting others navigating similar circumstances.
Unlike organizations focused on direct medical expenses, the trust concentrates on easing the non-medical financial pressures that often accompany a cancer diagnosis. Board members explained that the funds raised are used to help patients and families cover everyday necessities, such as rent, utilities, transportation, and grocery costs, which can quickly become overwhelming during treatment.
Manginoyat emphasized that the trust operates entirely through volunteers, allowing contributions to be directed straight to community members in need rather than administrative overhead. That model, he said, ensures transparency and reinforces donor confidence. Community engagement plays a central role in the trust’s outreach. Board members described annual benefit concerts and music-centered fundraisers as a way to bring people together while keeping local cancer-related challenges visible. These events, they said, are designed not only to raise money but also to strengthen community solidarity.
Saturday’s concert is being supported by several local and regional sponsors, including Eaton, Ascension Music Group, DaVille Skate Shop, Edwards Music Company, Backaround Records, The Dragons Lair, Pet Nerd In-Home Pet Sitting and Burchfield Design. Manginoyat said sponsor partnerships help expand the reach of the trust’s efforts and make events like Mosh Out Cancer possible.

Board members said the organization’s continued growth is rooted in Fayetteville’s willingness to rally around neighbors in need. They described the trust as a reflection of shared responsibility and remembrance, with each fundraiser reinforcing the original purpose behind its founding. Those interested in attending the event or learning more about the Karen Chandler Trust can find additional information on the organization’s Facebook page. The trust can also be reached by email at karenchandlertrustinc@gmail.com. Manginoyat encouraged community members to attend, noting that every ticket purchased contributes directly to supporting local families during some of their most difficult moments.