Driven by a debt of gratitude, the seventh annual Female Musicians Fighting Breast Cancer benefit is set for 1:30 p. m. Sunday in Macaroon’s (576 Dick Road, Depew). The all-day music event will feature Mystic Traversion, Whatsie, East of Eden and Passionworks, as well as a silent auction and raffles. All proceeds support the Roswell Park Cancer Institute’s Breast Care Center and Resource Center, two places close to the heart of the event’s founder and organizer, local bassist and survivor

IDA GOECKEL.

What inspired you to organize this event?

I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2003, and was in the process of being treated by one surgeon when I switched my services to Roswell because I wasn’t happy with my treatment. At Roswell, I was met with the attitude that I was an adult, not a child—they were very straightforward about everything.

One day during my radiation treatment at Roswell, I was reading Bass Player magazine, and they had a blurb about a woman in Austin, Texas, named Janelle Ramirez, who was putting together two events in Austin and Dallas called Bass Babes Battling Breast Cancer. I was inspired to e-mail her, and she was excited about the idea of collaborating with people all over the country. But she wanted to wait until the next year, and I wanted something to occupy my time at that moment.

How has the event grown over the years?

One thing we’re adding is an informational booth from Partners for Prevention, a local support group. The donations for the raffles and silent auction keep getting better, and I always have different bands on the bill to keep the music fresh.

So it’s diversity by design on the bill?

Absolutely. A secondary part of the fundraiser is highlighting local female artists who don’t get a lot of publicity, so all bands must have at least one female member. Mystic Traversion is an easy-listening acoustic duo. Whatsie is an all-original band, the only word to describe them is “jazzadelic.” East of Eden is rock and old-time country, like Patsy Cline. They feature Sandi Pack, who’s an award-winning singer and 15-year breast cancer survivor. Passionworks is the headliner. Their singer, Carolyn Daniels, just has an amazing set of pipes, and has a relative who passed away from breast cancer.

Will you perform with any of these bands?

No, I won’t be performing. First of all, it’s a lot to handle to organize the entire event and all the moving parts and perform as well. Second, I don’t want to send the message that I’m doing this as a vehicle to promote my music. It’s not about my music, and I don’t look for accolades. I just want to do something to give back to Roswell Park for all they’ve done for me, and I hope it can keep growing each year.

—Seamus Gallivan