Devotion to their father's memory inspired a Marquette senior and her brother, a Marquette alumnus, to start a music career — one that has raised over $100,000 for the American Cancer Society and helped them achieve a great honor.

Elizabeth Wessel, College of Business Administration senior, and Matthew Wessel, a 2003 graduate of the College of Communication, had the honor of performing Sept. 20 at the Celebration on the Hill — an American Cancer Society Action Network event celebrating cancer survivors and urging Congress to make cancer a national priority — in Washington, D.C.

Although this type of performance is a significant achievement, Beth and Matt have a long list of accomplishments to their names.

"My family has always been very musical," Matt said. However, it was not until Matt and Beth's father passed away from brain cancer in 1997 that Matt began writing "music of hope and inspiration."

As a result Matt, who was a high school senior at the time, drew the attention of his hometown, Gurnee, Ill., and was asked to put on a concert for a classmate fighting cancer. The concert, which he called "The Concert for Life," was an overwhelming success, raising over $6,000 for the American Cancer Society. His musical career took off from there.

According to Matt, since then he has fine-tuned his music and put on many performances for The Concert for Life around the Midwest. Beth said the concerts are put on mostly in religious venues to rally support for cancer research.

"We have put on concerts about once a month for the past four or five years, and raised over $100,000 for the American Cancer Society," Beth said.

According to Matt's biography on MattWesselMusic.com, Matt was awarded the youth category Distinguished Service Award in 2004 and a Chairman Award, Illinois Division in 2005 by the American Cancer Society for his Concert for Life work.

As a culmination of the Wessels' accomplishments, they were chosen to represent the Midwest at September's Celebration on the Hill concert. They were one of 14 acts from around the nation to receive this honor.

"The concert was to show political figures where their money is going, and that cancer research needs more support," Beth said.

The Wessels have taken their story and music and used them to inspire others.

"It's a really great cause, and I know it's close to their hearts, but they don't realize how much they really help people," said Elizabeth Pollard, a College of Arts and Sciences senior and friend of Beth.

Katie Spaulding attended the Celebration on the Hill and said it was a very inspirational experience.

"It is very neat to see them take something so negative and turn it into something very positive," said Spaulding, a College of Arts & Sciences senior. "They have a great attitude that really helps people."

Spaulding said as she stood in the crowd, her pride "to tell people (the Wessels') story was incredible."

Beth and Matt said the best part of performing is reaching out to their audience.

"What I love most is not necessarily the money we raise, but the effect we have on the audience," Beth said. "I am still inspired by every concert."

Matt agreed.

"My goal, regardless of the concert, is to inspire the audience, by singing my story and experience," Matt said.

As a result of their various concerts, Beth and Matt have received an outpouring of support and gratitude for their message of hope.

"All the letters and e-mails we get from audience members are very inspirational," Beth said.

Through all of the achievements and attention the Wessels have received, they remain grounded, and firm in their inspirational message.

"They get virtually no recognition or anything monetary," Spaulding said. "They just get the positive aspects of helping people through tough times. Through all of this they have been so humble."