A WOMAN from Co. Wexford is calling on people throughout the community to get involved in an intriguing new music initiative aimed specifically at people who have survived cancer.
Aoibheann Murphy, from New Ross, is setting up a choir under the auspices of the global choir movement, ‘Something to Sing About’ (STSA).
STSA is the brainchild of Dr. Paul Donnellan, Consultant Consultant Medical Oncologist at Galway University Hospital and Mayo General Hospital.
Speaking about the initiative, which has seen STSA choirs set up all over the world, Dr. Donnellan said: “A diagnosis of cancer is shocking news and undoubtedly a life-altering event. STSA celebrates the fact that most patients diagnosed with common cancers such as breast and prostate cancer turn out to be cancer survivors.”
He went on to reveal that 80 per cent of prostate cancer patients will survive their disease; 90 per cent of breast cancer patients live longer than 5 years and many of these are cured. “There are more cancer survivors alive at this moment than at any other time in the history of the world and that is surely something to sing about,” said Dr. Donnellan.
Those sentiments are shared by Ms. Murphy who was inspired by hearing about the eminent doctor and was herself fascinated by the choir idea.
There are many benefits to getting involved with an STSA choir including the fact that participation can be therapeutic.
“STSA hopes that the choirs will coalesce and perform concerts on a regular basis, the proceeds of which will go towards patient support and cancer research,” said Dr. Donnellan.
In a relatively short period of time ‘Something to Sing About’ has grown from an idea into a network of choirs around Ireland and abroad.
The concept is quite simple. To set up an STSA choir what is required are people who have survived cancer, a Musical Director, a room to meet, and a computer with access to the internet.
Such is the level of support for the concept that STSA choirs have been established in Australia with organisations in American and the UK also expressing an interest in joining.
From a Co. Wexford perspective Ms. Murphy is appealing to members of the public who are interested in getting involved to contact her as soon as possible.
“When you see what people go through I just felt this is something that we could do here relatively simply and it might have great long term benefits for survivors,” she told The Echo.
She also acknowledged the support she received from her own family in her endeavour to set up the choir.
Anyone interested who has ‘something to sing about’ is asked contact Aoibheann on 087- 2058983.
