‘We will make the diff’rence’
Les Ms. and Friends hold 10th annual Sing for Care concert in support of Dr. H. Bliss Murphy Cancer Care Centre
There are two things you can be assured of in this life — each of us will be affected in some way or another by cancer, and music makes us all feel something.
In keeping with both of those themes, Les Ms. and Friends gathered in late October at Holy Heart Theatre for a night of music and fundraising in support of the Dr. H. Bliss Murphy Cancer Care Foundation with the Sing For Care event.
This marks the 10th consecutive year the choir has put together a show that included performances by Les Ms. under the direction of Valerie Long, the Celeste Choir under the direction of Sonya Gosse, the Holy Heart Alumnae Choir and Let’s Make a Choir 2018, also under the direction of Long. Special guests included Gosse, Anna Mercer, Deanne Delahunty, Lisa Bokelmann and Sandra Pope.
This year’s event raised $6,338 and brings the 10-year total to more than $155,000 that will go to provide support and services for people living and dealing with cancer in Newfoundland and Labrador.
“It is mind blowing to us that people continue to come out year after year to listen to and support the choirs,’’ Long said.
“The choirs come and get to raise their voices to raise money for this worthwhile cause.”
The team at Dr. H. Bliss Murphy Cancer Care Foundation helps to raise funds that go toward enhancing treatment and supportive care programs for cancer patients, funding local cancer research initiatives, and providing continuing education opportunities for staff of the centre and affiliated cancer programs in Newfoundland and Labrador.
All the money raised stays in the province and is used to enhance regional programs close to the respective patient’s home, support local education programs and research projects, and acquire cancer treatment equipment. Funds also go to the Patient and Family Support Fund.
“The need is huge. With Les Ms. — and other fundraising efforts that contribute to the fund — we are happy to have their contributions,’’ said Kelly Reid, development officer at the Dr. H. Bliss Murphy Cancer Care Foundation.
“We have patients that have to sleep in their cars, so this funding goes to good use to try and eliminate that.’’
Reid said a cancer diagnosis is difficult enough, but the financial burden families must face is the tougher part. There are chemotherapy units located in various communities (Gander, Corner Brook, etc.) across the province, and people have to travel a variety of distances to get treatment. In addition, someone requiring radiation treatment can get it only at the Health Sciences Centre in St. John’s.
“To obtain patient and family support, for people going through treatments, they make an application to us and then meet with a social worker who conducts an interview to see what their needs and means are,’’ Reid said.
“They look at the applicant’s finances and see what can be done to pay for travel, meals and accommodations,’’ she added.
The show’s focus is best summed up in its closing number’s final lines from “I’ll Make A Difference” by Moses Hogan that says:
“We will make the diff’rence (Yes, we can make it.)
We will make it!
Take my hand!” Donations to “Sing for Care” can be made at any time by contacting info@lesms.ca.