Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

By Ayanna Eckblad

After a successful year of fundraising, Musicians Against Cancer will head into its second year of supporting cancer patients and their families.

Musicians Against Cancer is a year-long fundraiser in which various shows and fundraisers are held in the southern Minnesota and northern Iowa area. Donations go to the Blooming Prairie Cancer Group, a 501(c)(3) organization that helps people going through cancer treatment with financial needs such as gas money and meals.

The Blooming Prairie Cancer Group has helped over 500 people in the southern Minnesota and northern Iowa area and has given away about $65,000.

Their goal, according to their website, is to help people know they are not going through cancer alone.

Musicians Against Cancer started when musician Todd Utpadel of Hollandale made the decision to help people who are going through the disease.

“I decided … that I wanted to donate all my tips to go to people battling cancer,” he said, “And it snowballed from there.”

Utpadel said the original goal was to raise $3,000. However, after getting matching donations, pledges and sponsorships, Musicians Against Cancer raised over $50,000.

One of the major supporters was Albert Lea’s Moose Lodge 1703, Chapter 1364, which donated matching funds to the cause.

“The Moose Club in Albert Lea has been a huge supporter of this,” Utpadel said.

The lodge will host the kickoff event for 2025’s Musicians Against Cancer with a special show on New Year’s Day.

Although Utpadel began the fundraiser with a passion for helping those with cancer, the campaign became very personal when he himself was diagnosed with cancer in April.

Utpadel continued to play shows while simultaneously undergoing treatment.

“Needless to say, I was a little tired at times,” he said. However, he said knowing he had a purpose for performing drove him forward.

“That’s what kind of kept me motivated,” he said, noting he much preferred continuing the campaign during treatment over staying at home and doing nothing.

As of now, Utpadel’s cancer treatment is set to finish up this spring.

Even in the midst of treatment, Utpadel does not take any of the money raised during Musicians Against Cancer for himself. Rather, all funds go directly to the Blooming Prairie Cancer Group.

He also does not take credit for bringing Musicians Against Cancer to the masses.

“I’m kind of the spokesperson, but there’s a lot of people and a lot of people behind that people don’t see,” he said.

He also tries to shout out people who support the show on Facebook, on banners or in other ways whenever he can.

Utpadel said there will be about 30 shows in total for Musicians Against Cancer this year. He has booked many great musicians and also has venues that participated last year who would like to host again. Some of these include the Steele County Fair, the Owatonna Eagle Club and of course, the Albert Lea Moose Lodge.

A special Christmas show took place Dec. 15 at the Owatonna Eagles Club. It was one of the final Musicians Against Cancer events of 2024 and raised over $22,000.

Utpadel said he is still looking for venues to add to the campaign and sponsors for events. He performs in a variety of settings from bars and lodges to churches.

Right now, Utpadel said he is working on tribute shows for Frank Sinatra and the Grand Ole Opry. He also performs gospel music.

After the success of the first year, Utpadel said he does not want to go back to a smaller goal.

“I have a lot of help, now I need to find some sponsors,” he said.

He encouraged anyone interested to reach out to Musicians Against Cancer or the Blooming Prairie Cancer Group on Facebook or support local events such as the show at the Moose Lodge Wednesday.

Utpadel will perform at the event from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. and the Midwest-based band In the Fields will perform from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m.