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.
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 University 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.