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September Childhood Cancer Awareness Month

Hi, it's September which means RAC is in full swing with awareness activities. The childhood cancer community has several important initiatives I would like to bring your attention to:
*Tune in to Blogtalkradio.com hosts a show called Not Picture Perfect on Wednesday, September 9th there will be a live 2 hour broadcast dedicated entirely to Childhood Cancer awareness. Gabe will speak about survivorship and his 10th anniversary off treatment coming up on September 13th.
*Rock Against Cancer's music therapy programs will be featured on the Stand Up 2 Cancer online magazine throughout the month along with an Op-Ed piece by PAC2 founder and a piece about three young people currently in treatment check http://www.standup2cancer.org/magazine
*Event Description:

In Jan 2009 PAC2 succeeded in having its question on “Increased Funding for Childhood Cancer” included in the Citizen’s Briefing Book presented to the incoming President. We’ve followed up with written letters and emails. He gets 10 to 15,000 emails and letters every day.
But...he only gets 1,000 faxes a day.....so....
One day...one Time....let’s double that number, triple that number....we can stand out, be heard, if we all do it together!

Let’s simply fax the President and ask for a September ceremony in the Rose Garden honoring children during National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. All on ONE day. All together.

When – September 3, 2009 – all day
What - A short note faxed to 202-456-2461.

Dear Mr. President:
As the father of a childhood cancer victim I am writing to request that you hold a ceremony in the Rose Garden in honor of September National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Every year 12,500 children are diagnosed with cancer, and it is the leading cause of death by disease for children before age 20. 1 in 300 children are diagnosed with cancer before age 20 yet funding and awareness is woefully inadequate. This is not a ‘special interest group’; our community is large enough that our question on Increased Funding for Childhood Cancer was included in the Citizen’s Briefing Book presented to you by your Transition Team, question #5 in Health Care.

The awareness resulting from a ceremony would be a wonderful way to show your commitment to our future; our children. It would be an appropriate time to demonstrate that commitment by announcing full funding of the Carolyn Pryce Walker Conquer Childhood Cancer Act. Thank you.

Please visit the sites mentioned for articles, radio shows and take a few minutes to fax President Obama! Your help will help us Reach the Day when all children will survive their cancer diagnosis.

Thanks as always for your support,

Lisa

Online Auction Now Available

The online portion of the silent auction from the Strikeout Childhood Cancer Night is now available at www.32auctions.com. The auction name is rockagainstcancer and the password is abc123.

Here is a list of items available for bidding:

- One week vacations to: Daytona Beach, FL, Sunset Beach, NC, Lake Cumberland in Somerset, KY, and St. Maartens.
-Weekend stay at the Hilton Garden Inn in Durham.
-In-home wine tasting.
-Tickets to: NASCAR event and the Carolina Ballet.
-Signed sports memorabilia from: Carolina Panthers, Hurricanes, Charlotte Bobcats, St. Louis Rams, Washington Nationals, Cleveland Indians, Oakland A's and Duke University.
-Test prep courses from: Kaplan and Princeton Review.
-Signed fan memorabilia from: Matchbox 20 and No Doubt.
-Gym membership to O2 Fitness.

Sign on NOW and check it out!

A Message from your RAC Intern

I've had the privilege of working for Rock Against Cancer under the leadership of Lisa White, Ph.D, for the past three months. Call me a sap, but I'd like to use this blog post as a way to extend my deepest gratitude to the RAC family, while I still have the chance.

For anyone who may be new to RAC, and just happens to find this blog on our site, I'd like you all to know what a worthy and important cause this is. My dad recently told me that he was always under the impression that one person could not change the world. But, after hearing about the type of work that Lisa and RAC do for kids, he's changed his mind. Although making children happy through music may not be "changing the world," it is changing the lives of these remarkable kids who are faced with challenges many of us have never seen.

RAC's mission to empower children through music may not seem "world changing" at face value, but seeing the smiles on these kids (and their families') faces as they joined the Durham Bulls on the field at the Strikeout Childhood Cancer Night, might convince you otherwise. To make one sick child happy, even for a few hours of Music Therapy, or a night out at a concert or baseball game, is enough to convince me to support this cause. If you need further convincing, check out Leo meeting his idol, Stevie Wonder, through the help of Rock Against Cancer.

All the money received by RAC through donations go directly to supporting kids with cancer. This is a "mom and pop" organization as far as nonprofits go. Lisa makes sure to keep administrative costs at close to nothing (besides things like buying paper and ink and paying a broke college intern) so that the kids see the donations working directly for them in hospitals.

Working for Rock Against Cancer this summer has truly changed my life and the way I see the world. It may sound idealistic, but seeing children half my age and younger, who have lost so much, has really shown me how to put my own life in perspective. Lisa said many times this summer that if nothing else, my internship was entertaining, but I think she can only imagine. From lobbying Congressmen in Washington to creating a music video to Bruce Springsteen's Glory Days, this internship has been rewarding every single day.

Lisa's family's courage has inspired me to become involved in helping children in some capacity in my future career; whether it be through teaching, volunteering or nonprofit work. So, to wrap this up, I'd just like to thank Lisa, and her niece, Ashley, for having so much faith in me as an intern and giving me the chance to really get involved in this organizaiton. I've had other internships where I sat at a computer for 5 hours a day doing "busy work" for a company. Lisa and Ashley empowered me to be a leader and a problem-solver, especially in helping co-chair the Strikeout Childhood Cancer Night.

And for those of you who stumble across this, let me tell you that if you don't get involved in Rock Against Cancer, you are missing the opportunity of a lifetime. Whether you volunteer, donate, or just spread the word, you'll be changing the life of a child with cancer. And when you are dealing in the business of bringing smiles to kids, everybody benefits.

Still hoping to "change the world,"

Jordan Thorndyke
Rock Against Cancer Intern
Summer 2009

1st Annual Strikeout Childhood Cancer Night a Success!

RAC is happy to report that last night's 1st Annual Strikeout Childhood Cancer Night was a great success for everyone involved. Rock Against Cancer and the Durham Bulls were happy to host several families of childhood cancer survivors as well as families with kids currently in treatment. RAC was also pleased with the support from other childhood cancer organizations that set up info booths and helped volunteer at the game!

A huge thanks goes out to all the donating sponsors. The silent auction portion of the night is online at 32auctions.com. The auction name is RockAgainstCancer and the password is abc123. The fans at the game showed a lot of interest in the items and we look forward to using the funds to support RAC's programs.

From the opening ceremonies of the game to the closing concert, we are glad that we were able to educate the Triangle community about the effect pediatric cancer has on so many families. The Field of Dreams team looked great on the field with the players before the game. Gabe Titus, the reason for RAC, and Ashley Voss, the event chair, accepted the game ball on behalf of Rock Against Cancer. RAC enjoyed hosting some of the kids we serve in the picnic area of the ballpark and appreciates all the donated food and drinks provided for the kids in treatment and their families.

Although the Bulls lost, we are glad that so many fans stayed for the post-game fireworks. Volunteers set up luminaria on the field while a RAC video played, featuring a variety of people from the RAC family. When the lights came down, and the fireworks went up, the 300+ luminaria created a beautiful ribbon shaped scene on the field.

Again, we would like to extend our deepest thanks to The High and Mighties for headliining our post-game concert. About 150 people enjoyed live music, beer and dancing under "The Bull" at the ballpark. It was great to relax and unwind with good drinks and awesome music until midnight.

It's been a long ride in planning this event but hopefully next year, we'll be blogging about the 2nd Annual Strikeout Childhood Cancer Night. Major props go to Ashley Voss for planning the entire night. Graham Titus, Eric Fotheringham, Jean Young and Lisa White also deserve major thanks for their help and support the past few months. We couldn't have done it without Jon Bishop and the Durham Bulls, either.

Looking forward to next year!

No Doubt Meets with Chicago and Indianapolis Teens

No Doubt poses with teens battling cancer.

No Doubt hosted two "Star's Night Out" events in two nights in Indianapolis and Chicago on July 10-11. Teenagers from Peyton Manning Children's Hospital at St. Vincent's in Indianapolis were treated to a meet and greet, autographs and pictures with the band as well as special seating at the show at the Verizon Wireless Music Theater. The following night, patients from Children's Memorial Hospital in Chicago got the same treatment at the First Midwest Bank Amphitheater. No Doubt also extended their generosity by donating an autographed CD and poster to Rock Against Cancer's silent auction at the First Annual Strike Out Childhood Cancer Night with the Durham Bulls on Aug. 8.

Beyonce Hosts Triangle Area Teens at "Stars Night Out" Event in Greensboro

Beyonce hugging a young patient

Teenage patients from N.C. Children's Hospital and Duke Children's attended a "Star's Night Out" event with Beyonce Knowles at her Greensboro concert on June 27, 2009. Ten teens plus their friends and family received special seating during the concert. They later had the chance to talk with the star and have personal photographs taken with her. The patients enjoyed having the opportunity to meet with one of the industry's biggest stars!

Beyonce poses with a fan and her mother

More on Leo's Wonderful Night

Wonder wows crowd at Amphitheater in Alpharetta

by Logan Thomas

write the author

	Stevie Wonder performs with his daughter and a young, terminally ill cancer patient named Leo. Clark Savage/Clayton Cameracraft. (click for larger version)

June 25, 2009
ALPHARETTA - Stevie Wonder had no shortage of diehard fans filling the Verizon Amphitheater June 24.

Before the gates opened, the crowd had already started chanting, "Stevie, Stevie, Stevie."

Debra and Michael Vester of Alpharetta are fans of both Wonder and the Amphitheater. They have seen nearly every recent concert and plan to keep coming back for their "date night."

"We've never seen him live," she said, "but I grew up listening to him."

Debra remembered seeing his album cover everywhere when she was younger and she said she wasn't alone.

"There were some other ladies here that drove up from Savannah," she said. "Having the Amphitheater here is a huge convenience that it is right here. It's a fantastic place for the city."

Michael said everyone at work was "jealous" he was coming to see Wonder perform.

Lauren Dalrymple of Vinnings had her own sentimental reasons for coming Wonder's concert.

"I danced with my dad at my wedding in April to 'Isn't She Lovely,'" she said with a smile.

At 9:15 p.m., the lights went out and the crowd cheered. Wonder stepped out onto stage accompanied by his daughter, Aisha Morris, who was the inspiration for the hit single, "Isn't She Lovely."

Since the concert was scheduled to start at 8 p.m., Wonder acknowledged they were late in stepping out on stage. He said he had just met Leo, an 18-year-old terminally ill cancer patient, who accompanied Wonder for the entirety of the performance.

"Sure we are late, but it was for an amazing reason," he said. "This is a very special night. All of us are coming together for a good reason. When we get together as one people and in the spirit of God, wonderful things can happen."

Leo's family said the music had been an inspiration, Wonder said.

"When you leave tonight," he said, "I want you to say a special prayer for him and all of those dealing with an illness. The God I serve says impossible is unacceptable."

Following a rendition of "Sugar Pie Honey Bunch," the crowd had erupted into cheers and fans were dancing across the covered area as well as the lawn.

"We ain't through, yet," Wonder said with a grin. "We're just getting started."

Wonder had numerous sing along moments. Once, when the men in the audience were delivering what he believed to be a weak response, he tried to ignite some excitement with the crowd.

"Let the blind lead the confused," he joked, which was followed by a round of applause.

Wonder played without intermission for more than two hours. His daughter, Aisha, performed while her father played on the piano.

Wonder also pulled one man out of the crowd to sing with him who yelled, "I can't believe I'm on the stage with Stevie Wonder."

By the end of the performance, the entire Amphitheater crowd was on its feet.

"Thank you for helping me celebrate life and joy to Leo tonight," Wonder said. "If you really want to do something, use your heart to love somebody. Until we meet again, I will send you my love until my last breath."

RAC Visits D.C.

On June 22 and 23, Ashley (PR&Marketing Director for RAC), Lisa White Ph.D (Founder of RAC) and I (Jordan the intern) went to Washington D.C. to lobby Congress to support pediatric cancer research funding. Last year with the passage f the Caroline Pryce Walker Conquer Childhood Cancer Act, Congress said they would support up to $30million in pediatric cancer research for the next five years. Lisa, Ashley and I along with Tony Covington, a CureSearch employee (pictured top with Jordan and Ashley), and the Sheehans, a family who recently suffered the loss of their six-year-old son to leukemia, made up the North Carolina team. The seven of us spent Monday training to be effective lobbyists. Dr. George Reaman, head of the Children’s Oncology Group, shared some very hopeful updates in pediatric cancer treatments with the group of about 300. We also got to hear from former Congresswoman Deborah Pryce (pictured bottom with Lisa and Ashley) who sponsored the Conquer Childhood Cancer Act after her 9-year-old daughter, Caroline, for whom the bill was named, died from cancer.




Tuesday began with a rally on Capitol Hill where several congressmen and women spoke. The day was then spent visiting several North Carolina congressmen’s offices as well as Senator Kay Hagan’s. The day was at times emotional and overall tiring but we were met with support and positive reception by most of the offices. Our visit was part of CureSearch’s annual Reach the Day event, an event that brings together families, caregivers and researchers in the hopes that we will one day reach the day where all pediatric cancers will have a 100% cure rate. Making sure our government supports pediatric cancer research is one step in the right direction to reaching that day.