Rockers BLINK-182 have pledged a $100,000 (£67,000) donation to the burn centres that treated drummer TRAVIS BARKER after he nearly died in a harrowing plane crash last year (08).
Barker is the only remaining survivor from the accident, which occurred when a Learjet flying from South Carolina to Los Angeles failed to clear a runway and burst into flames.
His pal Adam 'DJ AM' Goldstein also survived the tragedy but died of a suspected drug overdose last month (Aug09).
Two pilots and two other passengers were killed in the accident, which left both Goldstein and Barker with second and third-degree burns.
Now Barker is thanking the medical specialists that treated him at the Joseph M. Still Burn Center in Georgia and the Grossman Burn Center in California by donating proceeds from Blink-182's show in Phoenix, Arizona on Saturday (19Sep09).
A statement from the band says the donation is "being made in recognition of their tremendous care and aid of Travis Barker through his recovery from the 2008 plane crash".
Sunday, December 6, 2009
HOPPUS CALLS FOR IMMEDIATE U.S. HEALTHCARE REFORM
BLINK-182 star MARK HOPPUS has urged U.S. politicians to speed up policies aimed at giving all American's health coverage after a caterer on the reunited band's tour fell ill without adequate insurance.
The bass player and singer has written an article for the Huffington Post website, demanding that healthcare bosses solve the problems of millions of Americans and figure out a way to help those struggling to pay huge medical bills.
Hoppus explains he was inspired to speak up after an uninsured employee, Ali Vattar, was handed a $48,000 (£32,000) bill following emergency surgery to remove her appendix.
Hoppus writes, "My initial reaction was disbelief. Why would you not have insurance? Especially while on tour? Turns out I was asking the wrong question. The real question is: Why are you unable to get insurance."
He explains that Vattar was unable to get coverage due to a pre-existing medical condition.
The rocker has started a website, the Ali Vattar Matter, where Blink-182 fans can donate money to help the caterer pay off her debt. Hoppus has promised to match every dollar fans donate until the bill is paid.
And his charity push has prompted him to do more to help other struggling Americans.
He writes, "Every day, while our elected officials and corporations argue over the best way to fix the problem of health care in America, more people like Ali are falling through the cracks, into bankruptcy and inadequate care.
"Mr. President, members of congress, hospitals, doctors, and insurance companies, there has to be a better way. When a person’s best option to pay for health care is to take to the internet and ask for small donations from strangers, bold changes need to be made."
The bass player and singer has written an article for the Huffington Post website, demanding that healthcare bosses solve the problems of millions of Americans and figure out a way to help those struggling to pay huge medical bills.
Hoppus explains he was inspired to speak up after an uninsured employee, Ali Vattar, was handed a $48,000 (£32,000) bill following emergency surgery to remove her appendix.
Hoppus writes, "My initial reaction was disbelief. Why would you not have insurance? Especially while on tour? Turns out I was asking the wrong question. The real question is: Why are you unable to get insurance."
He explains that Vattar was unable to get coverage due to a pre-existing medical condition.
The rocker has started a website, the Ali Vattar Matter, where Blink-182 fans can donate money to help the caterer pay off her debt. Hoppus has promised to match every dollar fans donate until the bill is paid.
And his charity push has prompted him to do more to help other struggling Americans.
He writes, "Every day, while our elected officials and corporations argue over the best way to fix the problem of health care in America, more people like Ali are falling through the cracks, into bankruptcy and inadequate care.
"Mr. President, members of congress, hospitals, doctors, and insurance companies, there has to be a better way. When a person’s best option to pay for health care is to take to the internet and ask for small donations from strangers, bold changes need to be made."
Blink-182 Get "Artistic" for Reunion Tour
Blink-182
| Openers On select dates: Weezer, Fall Out Boy, Panic at the Disco, All-American Rejects, Taking Back Sunday, Asher Roth and Chester French |
| Tickets $20-$60 |
WHAT TO EXPECT:
For their first tour since 2005, Blink-182 are trying a new strategy: rehearsing. "We used to walk onstage and forget our parts — we just wanted to play fast and look cool," says bassist Mark Hoppus. "This time, we want to be more artistic." The trio's reunion tour will feature all their pop-punk hits and a few new songs, plus they're planning an intense light show from Daft Punk and Kanye West's set designer. "We want to use the entire arena as a lighting rig and a stage," says Hoppus. "We're being as ambitious as possible."
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