CancerBlast concert raises more than $50,000 for cancer research

caroline.zentner — Thu, 19 Dec 2019 22:18:17 +0000

The Songs for Hope Society has used the power of music to inspire philanthropy and boost local cancer research to the tune of $53,550.

The society’s CancerBlast concert, held last April, brought together trumpet virtuoso Jens Lindemann and local musicians for a one-of-a-kind event to raise money for the cancer research being conducted at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge by Drs. Bryan Kolb (neuroscience) and Olga Kovalchuk (biological sciences).

Dr. Olga Kovalchuk, at left, accepts a donation from members of the Songs for Hope Society, René van de Vendel, Ken Lewis and Don Robb, in her lab in Science Commons.

Their Cancer, Chemotherapy and the Brain project is examining why radiation treatments affect memory, balance and other behaviours. “Chemo brain” affects up to 75 per cent of cancer patients and U of L researchers are working on novel strategies to prevent and mitigate chemo brain to give cancer patients a better quality of life.

Society members, including Don Robb, Ken Lewis, René van de Vendel, Karly Lewis, Tania Stilson and Cyndi Vos, were pleased to provide funding to help with the research project.

“Many of my friends and family members have suffered with cancer and research was something I knew nothing about,” says van de Vendel. “This concert really tied it together and made me realize there was something we could do and something we can hope for.”

“It’s a magnificent feeling,” Robb says about making the donation. “It was a great way to bring the musical community, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ community and the cancer community together.”

“I would like to acknowledge all the brass musicians who stepped up and gratuitously participated in this fundraiser,” says Lewis. “This was a grassroots initiative by a small core of people and it really caught on. Everybody thought this was a great project and worked very hard to pull it all off.”

Kovalchuk says the funding allows her and the other researchers involved in the project to keep working on their research at a crucial time.

“This donation means we can continue our momentum and finish important experiments, analyze results and publish papers,” says Kovalchuk. “Cancer is turning into a chronic disease and the key thing is to make sure cancer survivors live their lives to the fullest.”

In an economic environment where there is more competition for fewer research dollars, donations from the local community become increasingly important.

“I lost my dad to cancer a year ago,” says Kovalchuk. “The concert gave us a moment to remember him and others who were lost to the disease. That was very important, as well as the sense of community working together and trying to build something together.”

“One of our founding organizers, Scott Reiter, was afflicted with cancer and he passed away just weeks before this event and he was on board,” says Lewis. “That became kind of a calling card for all musicians because everybody knew him.”

Songs for Hope Society harnessing the power of music to fight cancer through CancerBlast concert event

trevor.kenney — Thu, 28 Feb 2019 16:47:10 +0000

Throughout time, the power of music has shaped generations, inspired movements and calmed the soul. Through the Songs for Hope Society and the CancerBlast concert, music may soon have the power to heal.

The Songs For Hope CancerBlast concert will take place Apr. 13, 2019 at Southminster United Church.

On Saturday, April 13, the Bridge Brass Quintet & Friends, Anna McBryan, and the Lethbridge Brass Ensemble, will share the Southminster United Church stage with trumpet virtuoso Jens Lindemann as they present CancerBlast, a unique concert supporting cancer research at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge.

“Our event has been modeled after CancerBlows, the highly successful American fundraising event under the leadership of cancer fighter Ryan Anthony,” says Don Robb, local musician and member of the newly formed Songs for Hope Society.

Anthony is a Canadian Brass trumpet virtuoso who has spent many years performing with Lindemann, renowned as one of the most celebrated soloists in the history of trumpet.

“Last year, Ken Lewis and I met with Jens and Ryan to see how we could bring the creativity of their event to our community. With Ryan’s blessing, we are permitted to model our event after CancerBlows. We want to use the medium of music to inspire philanthropy while supporting local research dedicated to creating hope.”

Event profits will support the cancer research being conducted by Drs. Bryan Kolb (neuroscience) and Olga Kovalchuk (biological sciences), specifically supporting the Cancer, Chemotherapy and the Brain project.

The research team has been studying why radiation delivered in one part of the body to help eliminate cancer cells affects memory, balance and other behaviours normally managed by the brain. The phenomenon has been dubbed “chemo brain” and affects up to 75 per cent of cancer patients, with higher rates among children, young adults and patients who receive high-dose chemotherapy. This developing area of research is working on novel strategies to prevent and mitigate chemo brain and could significantly improve the quality of life of cancer survivors.

“CancerBlast is a musical performance event dedicated to brass players blasting cancer off the map,” says Robb. “CancerBlast is for all of us who have been touched by cancer to join in tribute to those who are fighting, recovering or who have been lost to the disease. If you have been touched by cancer in some way, this is an evening for you to help those fighting the battle remain hopeful while managing the effects of chemotherapy. We are grateful to the many brass musicians, sponsors and volunteers getting on board with this concert event.”

CancerBlast will be held at Southminister United Church, 1011 4 Avenue South, Lethbridge, Alberta, beginning at 7:30 p.m. Tickets for the event are $25 each and can be purchased online at www.lethbridge.ca/tickets, at the Yates Ticket Centre or by phone at 403-329-SEAT.

UNews - Ken Lewis

CancerBlast concert raises more than $50,000 for cancer research

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Songs for Hope Society harnessing the power of music to fight cancer through CancerBlast concert event

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