"It seems as though everyone I know has been affected by those three dreaded words - 'You have cancer.' If it's not themselves, then it's a loved one or valued friend," laments Jolene Barron, a teacher at the Tamaqua Elementary School.

Barron's intimate knowledge of the "C" word started with her father, who died in 2005 after a vicious battle with pancreatic cancer. That battle led her to begin volunteering with the Tamaqua Relay For Life and the Tamaqua-Carbon Unit of the American Cancer Society's Annual Telethon.The cancer dragon reared its ugly head again in 2013, when her stepson, Matt, was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia on his 27th birthday. After intensive treatment at the Hershey Medical Center in Annville, the AML appeared to be vanquished.During Matt's hospitalization at Hershey, his family stayed at Hope Lodge. The family, including his dad, Steve, had a firsthand glimpse of the support the ACS provides to patients and families. The ACS was there for the Barron family every step of the way by providing housing, supplies, research and information.Matt's cancer roared back to life in 2014. After several rounds of chemotherapy, the family traveled to Johns Hopkins University Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland, where he received a bone-marrow transplant from his mother. The dragon is again under control, with Matt undergoing regular checkups.The Barron family is so appreciative of the help they received through the ACS, they wanted to find a way to give back. That's why they are organizing a benefit concert, featuring two of the Gaither Homecoming's biggest names, Wes Hampton and Charlotte Ritchie. Hampton is also a member of the Gaither Vocal Band.The GVB is one of America's best-known faith-based vocal groups. Founded by Bill Gaither in 1981, the band began recording contemporary Christian music in Nashville, Tennessee. It soon became better known for its Southern Gospel style music.Hampton has been a member of the band since 2005. His clear tenor voice can be heard on the GVB's 2008 Grammy winning recording "Lovin' Life," as well as the Dove-nominated Christmas recording "Christmas Gaither Vocal Band Style." He released his first solo recording, "A Man Like Me" in 2010, followed up by "Out On A Limb" in 2014. He has written one cookbook and is currently working on a second cookbook.Ritchie was first introduced to gospel music fans as a soprano for the gospel group "The Nelons." She then spent time as a vocalist for Jeff and Sheri Easter and now performs on the Gaither Homecoming stage as a solo artist. Her two solo recordings are "Closer" and "Bridges Over Blue."The concert, which will benefit the ACS, is scheduled for 7 p.m. March 29 at the Bethany Wesleyan Church in Cherryville. Doors will open at 6 p.m. Advance tickets may be purchased at

www.itickets.com/events/355432.html.