Kristi Yamaguchi Helps Raise Money for Friend's Family

By Monica Rizzo

Saturday July 26, 2008 11:30 AM EDT

Kristi Yamaguchi and Bret Hedican

Kathy Hutchins/Hutchins Photo

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Last March, Kristi Yamaguchi was celebrated for becoming a contestant on Dancing with the Stars – but in her personal life, the Olympic Gold Medalist and her husband, NHL star Bret Hedican, were mourning the loss of their good friend Patrick Brandt.

Brandt, a childhood pal of Hedican's, succumbed to a brain tumor and left behind a wife and two young children on March 2, 2008 in Mahtomedi, Minn. He was 37 years old.

On August 21, Yamaguchi and Hedican will host The Patrick Brandt Live Life, Give Love Celebration benefit concert and silent auction at The Myth Nightclub in Maplewood, Minn., to raise money for Brandt's family.

"Patrick was one of those guys who had a great sense of humor and a really positive outlook," Hedican tells PEOPLE of his friend. "He touched so many people with his positiveness. We want to celebrate his life, which ended far too early."

Rob Thomas headlines the show, which will also feature performances by Dancing pros Mark Ballas and Derek Hough's band, Almost Amy. Yamaguchi and Ballas, Dancing's season six champs, will also perform a dance or two.

Patrick Brandt with his wife Jesse and sons Wesley, 5, and Charlie, 2.

For more information on the event and to purchase tickets, go to livelifegivelove.com.