Physical Health United States Project #4194

MyMusicRx Delivers Music Medicine

by Children's Cancer Association

Project Report | Feb 13, 2017
Music From Her Heart

By Samantha Thompson | Donor Relations Specialist

Veda is a charming young talent who is truly wise beyond her years. Both compassionate and polite, she’ll greet you with a handshake, a warm smile, and ask how you’re doing today.

This remarkable poise and grace has helped her face some daunting medical challenges in the past year. Last January, she started experiencing seizures and was placed in a medically induced coma for over two months. Tests eventually revealed leukemia—and thus began a grueling course of treatment that involved over 20 rounds of chemotherapy.

Throughout her journey, CCA’s in-hospital MyMusicRx Specialists were there to provide regular jam sessions that Veda always looked forward to. And when she started learning to play guitar, CCA bought her one of her very own. Last year, she even participated in CCA’s annual Bedstock music festival with her own soulful rendition of “Keep Your Head Up.”

Today, Veda is in the maintenance phase of her treatment plan and eagerly getting back to her favorite activities: writing, playing music, and especially singing. While she’s talented enough to pursue a career as a vocalist, her real passion is helping others—especially kids and animals. “I don’t like to think about kids or animals suffering, and I want to help,” she explained. “So I’d like to be a veterinarian or maybe start a nonprofit to help kids somehow.”

Veda was named a 2016 CCA Hero and was honored at ceremony in May alongside her family and friends.

CCA continues to deliver MyMusicRx to thousands of seriously ill kids like Veda across the U.S. and Canada, serving 5,300 children in the past year. Trained MyMusicRx Specialists engage kids in bedside sing-a-longs, offer instrument lending for self-expression, and provide access to CCA’s digital music medicine program, MyMusicRx.org. Scientifically proven to help pediatric patients manage pain, boost immunity, and decrease emotional stress, CCA uses music medicine to heal.

With your generous donation, we can grow this program and spread the healing joy of music to more children, teens, and families.

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Nov 15, 2016
Fighting, Singing, and Inspiring

By Samantha Thompson | Donor Relations Specialist

Holly is a sweet, quiet third-grader who loves the color purple, practicing the piano, singing, riding her bike and playing board games with her parents and four siblings.

While trying to enjoy every last minute of her summer vacation, persistent ear pain led to a diagnosis of a rare form of cancer called rhabdomyosarcoma. Although Holly’s world suddenly filled with surgeries, radiation, and chemo, this brave young lady took it in stride. “I had so much help from my friends, my family, and my Chemo Pal Mandy,” she said. “They gave me the strength I needed to go on.”

During her time in the hospital, Holly’s musical skills were put to good use playing with the MyMusicRx team. In fact, she enjoyed it so much that she and her mom decided to perform in CCA’s annual Bedstock music festival. Her song choice? The very fitting “Fight Song.” She has inspired hundreds of people as she continued to perform this song for large audiences, earning standing ovations for her courage.

This young fighter is looking forward to finishing her treatments and getting back to normal life. She dreams of playing soccer, participating in gymnastics and attending 4th grade. Until then Holly takes life one day at a time and finds all the good and happiness that each day brings.

Holly was named a 2016 CCA Hero and was honored at ceremony in May alongside her family and friends.

CCA continues to deliver MyMusicRx to thousands of seriously ill kids like Holly across the U.S. and Canada, serving 5,300 children in the past year. Trained MyMusicRx Specialists engage kids in bedside sing-a-longs, offer instrument lending for self-expression, and provide access to CCA’s digital music medicine program, MyMusicRx.org. Scientifically proven to help pediatric patients manage pain, boost immunity, and decrease emotional stress, CCA uses music medicine to heal.

With your generous donation, we can grow this program and spread the healing joy of music to more children, teens, and families.

Holly's Bedstock Performance

Holly and CCA Founder Regina Ellis

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Aug 24, 2016
Leading the Parade

By Samantha Thompson | Donor Relations Specialist

2016 CCA Hero Jazzy

Jasmine, or “Jazzy,” may be just three years old, but this sassy little girl is already running the show. “One night at the hospital, she got all the other kids out of bed and led them down the hall in an impromptu parade,” laughed her mom Monique. “She’s just a natural born leader, I guess.”

She’s also a natural born fighter. Diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia last year, she’s been battling her cancer with a sunny outlook and the support of her large extended family. She’s also gotten a little help from CCA.

“She loves the MyMusicRx team so much,” said her mom. “A lot of times when she’s in pain they’ll come in and sing her to sleep.”

Thanks to the frequent visits from our MyMusicRx Specialists, Jasmine is learning to play guitar, ukulele, harmonica, drums, and keyboard. She also loves to dance, play dress-up, and take rides on her grandpa’s tractor.

As for her career path, Jazzy already has all that figured out. “I want to be a princess!” she proclaimed. Long may she reign.

Jazzy was recently named a 2016 CCA Hero and was honored at ceremony in May alongside his family and friends.

CCA continues to deliver MyMusicRx to thousands of seriously ill kids like Justus across the U.S. and Canada, serving 5,300 children in the past year. Trained MyMusicRx Specialists engage kids in bedside sing-a-longs, offer instrument lending for self-expression, and provide access to CCA’s digital music medicine program, MyMusicRx.org. Scientifically proven to help pediatric patients manage pain, boost immunity, and decrease emotional stress, CCA uses music medicine to heal.

With your generous donation, we can grow this program and spread the healing joy of music to more children, teens, and families.

Links:

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