Sometimes, the most unassuming events in our lives lead to extraordinary ones.

Such is the case with pianist Ron Carroll, for whom a favor for a friend has circuitously led to his hosting a benefit for a man living precariously on the edge of life and death.

A regular performer at the Muddy Rudder restaurant in Yarmouth, Carroll agreed to play piano at his friend’s wedding last July. The man officiating, Scott Linscott, was also the father of the bride.

Carroll didn’t know it at the time, but Linscott was gravely ill. Since 2005, he has battled non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Last May, he was diagnosed with end-stage liver disease. If he doesn’t receive a transplant — and soon — he will most probably die.

Once he learned of the situation, Carroll wanted to help. So at 2 p.m. Sunday, he and some friends will stage a benefit concert at First Parish Unitarian Church, 425 Congress St., Portland. (If canceled due to snow, the concert will take place at 2 p.m. Feb. 12).

The concert will feature six vocalists accompanied by Carroll on piano. They will perform a musical tribute to jazz legends Al Jolson and Scott Joplin, as well as some spirituals. Tickets are $10, and will be available at the door.

“We’re hoping to raise a few hundred dollars,” Carroll said. “Every little bit helps.”

Linscott, 48, can certainly attest to that. Since his diagnosis, he and his wife of almost 28 years, Robin, have marveled at the outpouring of support they have received from friends, family — even strangers.

“We’ve just been amazed at how kind and generous people are we’ve had people we barely know step forward, like Ron,” Linscott said.

Before his illness forced him to quit working, Linscott was a church pastor who also had a successful photography business. He spent many hours mentoring youths and organizing trips abroad to help the needy.

Since entering late-stage liver disease, he’s had to go on disability and move from his 2,400-square-foot home in Portland to a more affordable 1,100-square-foot house in Westbrook. And while he has medical insurance through his wife’s employer, it’s not enough to cover all his expenses — which will grow considerably if he gets a transplant.

He’ll find out on Tuesday whether or not he is a viable candidate for a live donor transplant. His son, Joshua — a graduate of Deering High and Bates College who’s studying medicine at Cornell University — has volunteered to be the donor.

But even though his personal situation is dire, Linscott requests that every benefit, every event — every story — also sheds light on the need for organ donors in New England. To that end, his sister, Gloria Linscott Caldwell, will be manning an information table at Sunday’s benefit, and he forwards money gathered in his name to the National Transplant Assistance Fund (helphopelive.org).

“We try to stress (to benefit organizers) please, just try to make time for people to be aware that I’m not the only one out there,” he said. “There are lots of people in need of a transplant.”

To read more about Linscott and to follow his progress, go to his Facebook page, “Scott Linscott’s Liver Transplant Journey.” To learn more about organ donation, visit organdonor.gov.

MEA CULPA DEPT.: In last week’s column, I mistakenly wrote that you could see Live in HD shows at Lincoln Academy in Damariscotta. The correct name is the Lincoln Theater, and you can view the schedule at lcct.org.

Deputy Managing Editor Rod Harmon may be contacted at 791-6450 or at:

rharmon@pressherald.com