Imagine being ill and not really knowing what the cause was. This scenario happens more times than not. Diagnosis are determined, but the illness doesn't go away. Now imagine it for a child. Aidan Knox was diagnosed in 2012 with Ewing's Sarcoma, after an initial diagnosis of an infection. This is a rare type of bone cancer that affects approximately one in three million children; approximately 250-300 in the United States every year.
According to the Live the Proof website, this type of cancer is aggressive and requires nine months of chemotherapy, which includes:
intensive chemotherapy on a compressed schedule and 31 radiation treatments to his tumor site.
Although Aidan is still a child, he has handled the diagnosis and chemotherapy with the maturity of someone far beyond his years. To aid Aidan in his journey through chemo and lengthy stays in the hospital, a YouTube channel was created called Songs for Aidan. The channel brings in musicians from around the globe to donate music toward Aidan's cause. The songs are there to uplift him while he is in the hospital.
Songs for Aidan has brought Aidan much happiness, but it will also bring more happiness to the Oncology Child Life Department of Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh. Through a compilation CD containing the music of Jim Boggia and Brandon Schott, Songs for Aidan is hoping to raise $1,000 for the Child Life Department. Schott, a cancer survivor himself, knows too well the journey Aidan is going through. The song "Turning Towards the Sun" was co-written by Schott during his treatment for cancer and he created a more intimate version for the cause.
The Oncology Child Life Department of Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh benefits children who have lengthy stays in the hospital such as Aidan. The Child Life Department provides activities, board games, video games (and consoles), books and toys to the patients. The goal is to have the children's stay in the hospital be as pleasurable and comfortable as possible.
The music compilation is a way to give back to those who have assisted in Aidan's journey and to benefit those who are experiencing life-changing or difficult times.For more information on Songs for Aidan, to purchase a CD or to donate towards the cause, please visit www.live-the-proof.com.
Heroes come in many forms and the musicians who have donated their talents to Songs for Aidan have taken part in a project that will benefit Aidan in his journey and the journey of many young patients at Children's Hospital in Pittsburgh.
© 2013 Jenna Cornell, All rights reserved. No part of this article may be reproduced without prior permissions from the author or Clarity Digital Group LLC d/b/a Examiner.com. Virtual Music Cafe, Heroes in Music, Coffeehouse Confessions and Stepping into the Twilight Zone are property of Jenna Cornell.
Comments