An all-day rock concert in Riverside Park might sound like a fun way to spend a Saturday, but the eight bands set to play hope their audience will join them in a fight against cancer.

"It's a free event. There's no admission. But we hope people will donate to the Canadian Cancer Society," Rock for the Cure co-ordinator Matt Genshorek said Wednesday.

Genshorek is the guitarist with Kamloops-based alternative band I've Taken a Lover. His friend and lead singer, Rob Wikstrom, is a brain cancer survivor.

Wikstrom hosted small fundraisers while living in Calgary and was looking to do something in Kamloops since moving here a year ago. When he proposed the concert to his band mates, they were eager to get involved, said Genshorek.

Genshorek has also seen his share of what the disease can do. His grandfather died of cancer in 2005 and his aunt is a breast cancer survivor.

Using their musical connections, I've Taken a Lover recruited a number of local rockers and bands from the region. Genshorek said the lineup is a mix of hard and indie rock and experimental sounds.

The lineup includes The Fineprint, Van Damsel, Matt Stanley and the Decoys, Fields of Green, A Name Unheard, Windmills and Black Phoenix Orchestra.

"We wanted a variety of music and we wanted it to be accessible," said Genshorek.

Volunteers with the Canadian Cancer Society B.C. & Yukon will be present to collect donations. If people can't donate on site, Genshorek asks them to donate online at cancerevents.ca.

"Every little bit helps," he said.

In addition to the music, listeners will be pitched a game plan to reduce the risk of cancer. Amanda Harris, health promotions co-ordinator for the cancer society's southern interior region, said this includes walking to work, eating more vegetables and limiting alcohol consumption.

By doing these simple things, people can improve their health and increase the chance of staying cancer free, she said.

Rock for the Cure begins at noon Saturday and wraps up at 8:30 p.m.