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.
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