Heart to Heart Hospice Foundation is proud to be a sponsor in the upcoming Cancer Blows event on March 9 at the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, which is a special benefit concert featuring legendary brass performers – all performing together to raise money for cancer research, inspired by their friend, Ryan Anthony.
How the Mission Began
In November 2012, Dallas Symphony Orchestra principal trumpet, Ryan Anthony had just completed a guest appearance with his old group, Canadian Brass, and wasn’t feeling well. After the concert, Ryan said he felt like his entire body was “jangling” as he ran off-stage.
Recent chronic aches & pains had sent the then 43-yr old to multiple doctors searching for the cause. The Monday after the concert, Ryan & his wife, Niki got the call that no one is prepared for – especially with two young children in elementary school – Ryan had been diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a terminal cancer of the bone marrow that most often appears in patients 65 and older.
Just 15 years ago, multiple myeloma was a death sentence with a life span of 3-5 years. While this type of cancer is still considered incurable and terminal, recent, rapid advances in research have greatly extended the life span of newly diagnosed patients, and hope for a cure is a real possibility.
During his stem cell transplant, Ryan was overwhelmed with phone calls from trumpet players all over the world. Each one asked what they could do to help, and Ryan jokingly said, “we’ll all play a concert when I am healthy again, and we’ll call it cancer blows.” As the weeks went by, the joke solidified into a real event with an impressive guest list. Soon Ryan & Niki realized it could be more than just something for fun but could be used to raise awareness and money to further the research that helped give their family a future. Ryan did not survive to see this to fruition, but his legacy lives on.
The Heart to Heart Hospice Foundation, inspired by its’ story and mission, is honored to support those with cancer and cardiovascular-related illnesses, as it aligns closely with our mission.
Source: https://www.cancerblows.com/about-us/
Learn more about how the Heart to Heart Hospice Foundation Supports Those With Cancer