(Newswire.net — October 17, 2014) Lehi, Utah — The Crowdcare Foundation today launched its Songs For Life Kickstarter campaign to produce its first-ever album to help support cancer patients and fund innovative cancer research.
Cancer survivor Jenny Ahlstrom started the Songs For Life contest after she felt the power of music while going through treatment for multiple myeloma, a rare blood cancer. “Music had the power to calm my anxiety, lift me up, relive my pain and help me get through that very tough time,” says Ahlstrom. “This is a way I can give back to help create something inspiring while moving treatments closer to a cure.”
For the new Songs For Life contest, artists submit their inspiring original or cover songs on www.songsforlife.org between now and November 15, 2014. The top 20 songs by Facebook likes will then be reviewed by the Songs For Life Judging Panel including ThePianoGuys, Jessie Funk and other musician/cancer survivors.
Winners will be announced on December 1, 2014 and will receive up to $2,000 towards recording studio fees at Soularium Studios (and up to $1500 in travel expenses) for a professional recording if needed of their winning submission. The final Songs For Life CD/album will be released in February 2015. All CD/album proceeds will be donated to the CrowdCare Foundation to help fund new research aimed at advancing cancer treatments and cures.
The contest has received 18 song donations to date, including those who have family members affected by cancer. Twelve-year-old Luke Hopkins donated his touching version of “There’s A Hero” in honor of his Aunt Kathryn who is battling breast cancer. “I wanted to donate something to make a difference for my aunt,” said Luke. He believed that this song spoke to the heroics of his aunt and others facing cancer.
Songs For Life Judge Dr. Steve Eisenberg uses music in his California oncology practice on a regular basis to help alleviate pain, anxiety and boost mood. His work was featured on the Today show. “I took songwriting I had been doing and applied it to people who needed it the most,” says Eisenberg. “There are research studies that show that music therapy for patients who are in pain has shown to greatly increase quality of life.”
“This has been a very rewarding project so far and one that can involve musicians and fans from all over the world,” says Ahlstrom. “Music is more powerful than we think.”
About the CrowdCare Foundation – A New Approach To Research Funding
The CrowdCare Foundation takes a new approach in funding cancer research. For the first time, patients will have a seat at the table to help find and select projects that look most promising. The CrowdCare Foundation joins an expert Scientific Advisory Board of cancer specialists with a Patient Advisory Board for specific cancers. Together, they find, vet, select and fund specific projects such as new immunotherapies, or ways of using a patients’ own immune system to target the cancer.
About Jenny Ahlstrom
Jenny Ahlstrom was diagnosed with a rare blood cancer called multiple myeloma in August of 2010 at the age of 43. She believes patient involvement and new approaches are needed to accelerate the pace of new, curative therapies, especially in rare cancers and other orphan diseases. She is a singer, pianist and music lover.