Papa Roach + Breaking Boundryz Unite to Bring Attention to Make-A-Wish Foundation

Papa Roach and Mark Guerra may have met via the Make-A-Wish Foundation, but their relationship has gone far beyond the original meeting and they're now teaming up to bring attention to the organization.

Guerra was a high school senior when he was diagnosed with a brain tumor and he asked the Make-A-Wish foundation if he could record some of his music with his favorite band Papa Roach. The band documented the meeting and the video proved so powerful that Fuse followed with their own feature on Guerra's time with the band. You can check out the original video of the meeting above and Fuse's feature here.

Guerra's band Breaking Boundryz have completed a new EP and they, like Papa Roach, are planning a Jan. 27 release for their latest effort. To pay homage to the organization that brought them together, the two acts will utilize promotion of their respective music to help bring attention to Make-A-Wish. Proceeds of Breaking Boundryz's EP will be donated to the Make-A-Wish Foundation and both P-Roach's Jacoby Shaddix and Mark Guerra will be spreading the word during media appearances together.

Breaking Boundryz finished recording their EP with the members of Papa Roach on hand at Downtown Studios in New York City in early 2014. In the time since completing the music, Guerra received medical treatment for his tumor and is now in remission. However, the time spent in treatment caused the band to delay the EP release.

Papa Roach, meanwhile, spent a good portion of 2014 working on their new album 'F.E.A.R.' and Jacoby Shaddix says he can see some of the relationship with Guerra encompassed in the disc. "Looking back on the Make-A-Wish experience we realized that Mark really embodies the concept of Face Everything and Rise," says Shaddix. "He is a great example for kids and families dealing with life-threatening illness. He never gave up … his attitude is amazing!"

Guerra's mother Elizabeth also penned a moving recollection of the connection formed between the band and her son during the New York recording sessions. “Words cannot express the gratitude I have for Papa Roach, Eleven Seven Music and the Make a Wish organization for the amazing trip organized for my son Mark. So many blessings throughout the week and to get the news that he would be on the same label as Papa Roach was music to his ears!! As a parent, I can’t thank everyone enough for all they did to make him feel so special in those five days. He was not thinking about what he had been through over the past year at all the whole week and that was very emotional for me because he has fought so hard against this disease. He’s been so excited about all that’s happened and what is yet to come!”

Guerra himself added, “I don’t believe I can say ‘thank you’ enough to everyone who planned and organized my wish. It was the most amazing trip and I could not have asked for it to have been any different, I was surrounded by angels all week and I will cherish this memory forever. I can’t wait 'til the album comes out so I can BEGIN repaying them for the kindness they all showed me!"

In addition, Papa Roach have launched a new site where fans can share with one another and the band about overcoming their fears. Check it out here.

See Jacoby Shaddix and Other Rockers Yearbook Photos