Musicians On Call & Hyundai Hope On Wheels Bring the Joys of Music to Pediatric Hospital Patients for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month
Every year, 40,000 children undergo treatments in their battles against childhood cancers. Each September, Childhood Cancer Awareness Month brings together organizations nationwide to raise awareness and critical funds to further the research and treatment of these diseases. This year Hyundai Hope On Wheels and Musicians On Call partnered to bring the healing power of music to pediatric oncology patients, delivering hope and light during a dark time.
Hyundai Hope On Wheels’ Youth Ambassadors Emmy and Raynie met up with singer/songwriter Jax and hit songwriter Sam Hollander in New York City for a MOC Songwriting session. Together they wrote, recorded and produced “Hope Lights the Way.” With lyrics like, “It takes the sun and rain to make a rainbow / If you wanna be brave, don’t let ‘em knock you down / There’s joy and pain in every struggle / But there’s always a light at the end of the tunnel,” the song is a healing anthem to inspire other pediatric patients through their battles with cancer. “Hope Lights the Way” debuted at the Hyundai Hope On Wheels annual gala in Washington, D.C. with a live performance by Jax, Emmy and Raynie that received a standing ovation. The three were presented with commemorative plaques by the Recording Industry Association of America. Special thanks to Warner Chappell, TuneCore and the Dream Adopters,“Hope Lights the Way” is available across all streaming platforms.
Listen here: https://bit.ly/MOCHopeLightsTheWay
Throughout the month, pediatric oncology patients in Nashville and New York City enjoyed unforgettable visits by some of music’s brightest talents. Old Dominion, Tiera Kennedy and Chelsea Cutler participated in the Musicians On Call Bedside and Virtual programs, performing for patients in their hospital rooms. During their time visiting patients at TriStar Centennial Children’s Hospital, Old Dominion brought smiles and shared laughs with the children, their families and hardworking caregivers. Tiera Kennedy had patients dancing and hands clapping during her visit to Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. Chelsea Cutler shared special connections with patients as she performed for groups of patients and at the bedside at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.
“The battles that these young patients fight for their health every day is inspiring and we wanted to give them some hope and light to hold onto, especially during Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Meeting Emmy and Raynie and working with Hyundai Hope On Wheels, we were able to share even more joy than we could have imagined,” said Musicians On Call President & CEO Pete Griffin. “We hope all the pediatric cancer fighters we visited with, and those across the country, know they can find strength in the healing power of music.”
“For over 25 years, Hyundai Hope On Wheels has been deeply committed to helping kids fight cancer,” said John Guastaferro, the foundation’s executive director. “Our partnership with Musicians On Call will allow us to share the healing power of music across the country and make children’s lives all that much brighter.”