Heroes Supporting Heroes
- Dire Straits singer, songwriter and lead guitarist Mark Knopfler has spearheaded a supergroup with dozens of rock heroes to raise funds for Teenage Cancer Trust and Teen Cancer America.
- The legendary formation — which includes music icons such as Bruce Springsteen, Eric Clapton, Joan Jett, David Gilmour, Sting, Slash and Ringo Starr — dubbed “Mark Knopfler’s Guitar Heroes,” recorded “Going Home (Theme from Local Hero),” written by the British artist.
- Aside from bringing people together for a good cause, creating and listening to music can be a powerful healing tool in general, and according to medical experts, there is actually science to back it up.
- A cancer diagnosis is difficult for most, but it is exceptionally devastating for teens who should be celebrating some of life’s most joyful milestones, that is why it lies on the parent to help advocate for their child and look out for any warning symptoms that seem amiss.
The legendary formation — which includes icons such as Bruce Springsteen, Eric Clapton, Joan Jett, David Gilmour, Sting, Slash and Ringo Starr — dubbed “Mark Knopfler’s Guitar Heroes,” recorded “Going Home (Theme from Local Hero),” written by the British artist.
Read MoreJoan Armatrading, Jeff Beck, Richard Bennett, Joe Bonamassa, Joe Brown, James Burton, Jonathan Cain, Paul Carrack, Eric Clapton, Ry Cooder, Jim Cox, Steve Cropper, Sheryl Crow, Danny Cummings, Roger Daltrey, Duane Eddy, Sam Fender, Guy Fletcher, Peter Frampton, Audley Free, Vince Gill, David Gilmour, Buddy Guy, Keiji Haino, Tony Iommi, Joan Jett, John Jorgenson, Mark Knopfler, Sonny Landreth, Albert Lee, Greg Leisz, Alex Lifeson, Steve Lukather, Phil Manzanera, Dave Mason, Hank Marvin, Brian May, Robbie McIntosh, John McLaughlin, Tom Morello, Rick Nielsen, Orianthi, Brad Paisley, Nile Rodgers, Mike Rutherford, Joe Satriani, John Sebastian, Connor Selby, Slash, Bruce Springsteen, Ringo Starr and Zak Starkey, Sting, Andy Taylor, Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks, Ian Thomas, Pete Townshend, Keith Urban, Steve Vai, Waddy Wachtel, Joe Louis Walker, Joe Walsh, Ronnie Wood, Glenn Worf and Zucchero.
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A longtime supporter of Teenage Cancer Trust, Knopfler proudly announced last month that 100% of sales from Gibson’s new “Gold Top” guitar via Christie’s auction house will go to the organization.
The Power of Music
Aside from bringing people together for a good cause, creating and listening to music can be a powerful healing tool in general, and there is actually science to back it up.
“Just listening to music activates more brain regions simultaneously than any other human activity,” Dr. Alexander Pantelyat, a neurologist at Johns Hopkins, previously told SurvivorNet.
A 2022 study published in the journal Parkinson’s Disease researched the effects music had on the brain. It found music can help reduce anxiety for patients. Dr. Serap Bastepe-Gray, who co-founded the Johns Hopkins Center for Music and Medicine with Dr. Pantelyat, led the study.
“The guitar, which is portable, affordable, and one of the most popular instruments in the U.S., has potential as a motivational therapeutic tool both in the clinical and community settings,” Dr. Bastepe-Gray said.
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Music therapy is a resource cancer patients turn to during treatment. Music therapy includes “creating, singing, moving, listening and/or relaxing” to the sounds of your favorite songs, according to the National Cancer Institute.
This form of therapy can help relieve depression, stress, anxiety, and pain.
Some cancer centers promote the usage of music for healing with music therapy. Per the Cleveland Clinic Cancer Center, “music therapy provides a unique opportunity for self-expression, distraction, comfort, and support.”
“Our board-certified music therapists combine music and therapeutic techniques to address the physical, emotional, or psychosocial needs encountered by patients and families who are undergoing treatment for cancer,” the website reads.
“Music therapists assess patients’ needs and goals and provide music therapy interventions, which may include listening to, reflecting on, or actively making music. Patients and families are encouraged to join in, if they are able and willing.”
Teenage Cancer Trust’s Mission
Teenage Cancer Trust specializes in teens and young adults from 13-24 who need specialized care and support. They fund specialized nurses, youth workers and hospital units in the UK’s NHS healthcare system “so young people have dedicated staff and facilities to support them throughout treatment,” their site reads.
Another large aspect of what the group focuses on is helping young people “regain independence and meet other young people going through something similar,” while providing “easy-to-understand information.”
Teen Cancer America’s Mission
Teen Cancer America‘s mission, according to the organizations website is to give every adolescent and young adult (AYA) access “to specialized clinical care and support services that improves their survival and quality of life during and after treatment.”
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Additionally, they help health systems develop “age-specific programs that restructure the health system to best support the currently underserved population.”
Advocating for Your Teen
A cancer diagnosis is difficult for most, but it is exceptionally devastating for teens who should be celebrating some of life’s most joyful milestones, that is why it lies on the parent to help advocate for their child and look out for any warning symptoms that seem amiss.
And even if you’re called ‘pushy’ or people dismiss the concerns you have for your child, it’s important to remember that you never know when speaking up about a seemingly unproblematic issue can lead to a very important diagnosis cancer or otherwise.
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“Every appointment you leave as a patient, there should be a plan for what the doc is going to do for you, and if that doesn’t work, what the next plan is,” Dr. Zuri Murell, director of the Cedars-Sinai Colorectal Cancer Center, told SurvivorNet in a previous interview. “And I think that that’s totally fair. And me as a health professional that’s what I do for all of my patients.”
As a parent, paying attention to any lingering symptoms or body changes is critical because early detection may help with treatment and outcomes.
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Seeking multiple opinions is one way make sure you are or your child is getting the proper care and attention. You should also try to remember that not all doctors are in agreement. Recommendations for further testing or treatment options can vary, and sometimes it’s essential to talk with multiple medical professionals throughout the process.
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