Terri Schiavo Foundation to hold benefit concert

St. Petersburg, Fla., Jan 25, 2010 / 16:12 pm

Nearly five years after the death of Terri Schiavo, the Terri Schindler Schiavo Foundation has announced its first annual benefit concert this upcoming April, featuring country music stars Randy Travis and Colin Raye.

The Terri Schiavo Life & Hope Concert will take place on April 11 at the Murat Theater in Indianapolis and seeks to raise funds for the foundation that was established by Terri's family. 

Terri Schiavo died in March of 2005 when a Florida judge ordered the removal of her feeding tube, a move that was requested by her husband, Michael Schiavo who had custody of her. The case made international headlines and was the subject of a public feud on right to life issues. Terri's parents, Robert and Mary Schindler had fought for two years to try and prevent their daughter's death.

Concert performers Randy Travis and Colin Raye have both sold millions of albums during their music careers and each have had numerous number one hits. Raye's participation in the fundraiser is motivated by his granddaughter Hailey, who has a rare degenerative brain disorder.

“Terri and her legacy continue to touch and change lives every day thanks to the work of Terri's Foundation,” said the organization in a statement Monday, which continued to explain that the foundation was “established to educate and assist families – enabling them to better protect the rights and lives of their cognitively disabled loved ones.”

“Funds raised through ticket sales and sponsorships for this event will allow Terri's Foundation to honor her legacy in many ways. Most importantly, it will allow the foundation to continue protecting the lives of vulnerable persons by serving as a resource for families whose loved ones are in jeopardy of having their deaths hastened.”