This is a day focused on Giving and expressing Thanks.
And the beginning of the Giving Season.
Appreciate all we’ve been given and especially, the fact that we have the amazing capacity to Give.
If you haven’t discovered a more engaging, wholesome modus that rocks your philanthropic rodeo or a cooler sustainable vehicle to carry your good intentions, join us in rhythm.
¡We’re drumming to BEAT cancer!
For eight years now DrumsForCures has provided fortifying support, access to solid cancer health resources, wonderful camaraderie and facilitated the sharing of heart through our engaging interactive DRUMSTRONG rhythm events. We’re supporting thousands through the simplest, most ancient of means to communicate and share spirit. Drumming.And here are a few ways to Play that don’t require talent, or that you overextend yourself. In fact, it’s kinda Giving without Giving (orGetting when you Give)…
When you do your Holiday shopping at AmazonSmile, Amazon donates 0.5% of the purchase price to DFC. Sign up to support DrumsForCures DRUMSTRONG at thislinkand benefit us every time you make a purchase.
AND,BeautyKindhas offered 5% of All purchases in support of DrumsForCures when you create an account and buy their amazing products.
Simply clickhere, sign up, then write in Drums For Cures (they have it noted as 3 words) at the “SearchBeautyKindfor YOUR LOCAL CAUSE” at the bottom of page. (Takes 12 secs!)
Not asking for your ‘hard-earned $’, we just really appreciate your participation in our charitible activities, encourage volunteer support or the creating of a DRUMSTRONG event in your ‘neighborhood’, and request a ‘thumbs-up LIKE’ on ourDrumsForCures :: DRUMSTRONG Facebook pagewhere you can follow our good work.
(That said, if you feel inexplicably moved to throw some $ our way, we could use it to buy new equipment to bring rhythm to the children in hospitals and camps and move our rhythm-driven activities ever forward).
Our Gratitude Groove goes out to those who have raised a stick, or hand or ‘thumb(s) up’ to perpetuate the pulse; we Thank You.
To our family, friends, staff, volunteers, sponsors, DrumCircle Facilitators, recipients and the Purveyors of the Pulse; we Thank You.
Help us help you and those you love. ..the Power is in your Hands
Courtney Devores on the local and national music scene
Monday, March 10, 2014
Charlotte’s drumSTRONG festival announces lineup
Railroad Earth, the Felice Brothers, Kopecky Family Band, and Chatham County Line top this year’s drumSTRONG lineup. The music festival and fundraiser for cancer awareness takes place May 16 through May 18 at Weddington’s Misty Meadow Farm four miles outside of Charlotte.
This year’s bill looks like the largest drumSTRONG lineup yet with acts like Maryland-based singer-songwriter Joe Pug and former Carolina Chocolate Drop and band co-founder Dom Flemons.
The bevy of national, regional, and local artists include heavy hitters from around the area. Raleigh roots-rockers American Aquarium, Chapel Hill’s folk-pop combo Lost in the Trees, eclectic Americana group Bombadil, indie-rock act the Love Language, and bluegrassers Chatham County Line represent the triangle area. Asheville’s funk unit Yo Mama’s Big Fat Booty Band and producer/DJ/instrumentalist Marley Carroll hail from the mountains, while jam outfit the Mantras carries the Greensboro flag.
Charlotte-based acts include HRVRD, the New Familiars, Junior Astronomers, Grown Up Avenger Stuff, Replicas, Overmountain Men, Super Ape, Dirty Drummer, Ancient Cities, Of Good Nature, Elonzo, Sinners & Saints, Time Sawyer, Pullman Strike, the Business People, Cairo Fire, and Miami Dice.
In its seven years drumSTRONG has spawned sister events and related activities around the globe built on the idea of beating out cancer. The initial drumSTRONG was conceived much like a run or a walk-a-thon to raise money and awareness for cancer with a marathon drum circle, which is still part of the three-day festival.
Besides live music and drumming the festival features children’s activities (Sunday is folk and fun day for all ages), drum and yoga instruction, art and food vendors, a craft beer garden, a health expo, and camping. Tickets go on sale Friday, March 14 at www.drumstrong.com
drumSTRONG and its sister organization DrumsForCures was founded by Charlotte’s Scott Swimmer after his then young son Mason was diagnosed with cancer as a way to raise funds for cancer organizations through rhythm gatherings. Mason Swimmer is a college student now and drumSTRONG keeps growing.
2-14-14
Pulse perpetuates life.
The Heart is our Life Force Pump.
We Like to say that it’s where our deepest and sincerest Feelings are located .. where Courage and Determination are gauged.
Do we Control how long it’s gonna pump?
Maybe to a degree.
But we DO control to what degree we share it.
The good news is we’ve all got a HeartBeat.
Let your impulsive tendencies direct your Pulse to rhythmically fortify our world. Appreciate what other’s have to offer .. and how your unique rhythm fits into this crazy, beautiful symphony…
This special Valentine’s Day, share your Heart with those you love and those you can help through our rhythm-driven initiatives. It’s really easy .. Support Survivorship, Education and Research by sending your Valentine Love Donation to
DrumsForCures
725 Providence Rd. #210, Charlotte, N.C. 28207
or
PayPalhttps://www.paypal.com/drumstrong
2-4-14
:: World cancer Day ::It’s not about colors, ribbons, finish lines and celebrity attachment .. but the process of supporting all impacted .. with whatever you’ve got.
And we’ve all got a heartBEAT.
A reminder that there is reciprocative fortification in sharing your pulse with others.
May the collective rhythm ease concerns and spark hope that something good will come next.
1-21-14
From DrumsForCure :: DRUMSTRONG founder, Scott Swimmer
Yesterday Mason Swimmer was 25. 10 years since diagnosis and light years from the crazy scary roller-coaster ride cancer took him on. Ever appreciative of being on this side of it.
He’s great and amazing.
Mason studies Music Therapy at Queens University in Charlotte where he hones his craft and personifies his instrument by sharing rhythm and musical direction with others in compromised health. It feels good and right to help heal. He personally realized the benefits at a young age and witnesses the power daily.
Mason was my first incentive to drum strong. So many of you have since been my inspiration.
Today I’m 60. 10 years since diagnosis. Ever appreciative of being. Realizing that nothing matters more than NOW.
The in-the-moment sharing of our pulse is what keeps me going.
Thank you.
Be well, drum LONG, drum STRONG,
Scott
Small efforts can make a massive difference. Here’s one. From the many beautiful connections, elements and activities DRUMSTRONG engages in daily, we often get resounding response. Sometimes the results are subtly evident; sometimes brilliantly obvious.
Among all the outrageously cool festivities at our annual main event every May, folks register for potential Bone Marrow matches through Love Hope Strength Foundation. It’s simple :: a cheek swab and the willingness to help someone.
Here’s the note we got today ::
Scott,
We have some amazing news…we just located a potentially lifesaving match from DRUMSTRONG!!!!! Woohooo!! We are all doing the happy dance and are eternally grateful. This is hopefully the first of many. Keep the donor and recipient in your thoughts and pray that this turns into a successful transplant. Please thank everyone involved with DRUMSTRONG for making this possible.
Love
Shannon
SHANNON FOLEY HENN Executive Director LOVE HOPE STRENGTH FOUNDATION SAVING LIVES, ONE CONCERT AT A TIME Building international marrow databases through our GET ON THE LIST campaign. This was a good day!
Wishes for a Season of Sharing
(giving and receiving)
May the Rhythm that pulses through us be a groovy, joyous, healthy reminder that we can all do something for one+another ..
and in the process, our Hearts will be sounder.
Just go ahead and throw it out there.
¡Tis the Season! .. pah rom pah pom pom ..
Carolinas Kids Cancer Research Coalition
Subject: Carolinas Kids Research Coalition Provides $5.7 Million in Funding
Date: February 23, 2010
Charlotte NC — Eight philanthropic organizations and families in the Charlotte region have joined forces to create the “Carolinas Kids Cancer Research Coalition,” which is providing funding for the introduction of Phase I and Phase II clinical trials by the Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Center at Levine Children’s Hospital.
The coalition support includes a signature commitment of $1 million from the Alex Hemby Foundation and the Hemby family, resulting in the naming of the Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Center in honor of Torrence E. Hemby, Jr. and the creation of an endowed fund in his honor. Consistent with other commitments from Coalition members, the Hemby gift is being matched by The Leon Levine Foundation, for total Coalition funding in the amount of $5.7 million.
“The development of pediatric cancer research with Phase I and Phase II clinical trials places Levine Children’s Hospital among the nation’s elite healthcare providers in the battle against childhood cancer,” said Michael Tarwater, CEO of Carolinas HealthCare System. “By expanding our clinical research capabilities, we are assuring families throughout this region that they can receive the latest treatments close to home.”
The Carolinas Kids Cancer Research Coalition includes some of the region’s premier nonprofit groups dedicated to fund raising, education and awareness related to pediatric cancer. Founding members of the Coalition are The Leon Levine Foundation, The AlexHemby Foundation, The Adam Faulk Tanksley Foundation, The Baby J Ladley Fund, QuailHollow Championship, DRUMSTRONG™, 24 Hours of Booty, and Brett’s Ride for Rhabdo.
“Formation of the Cancer Research Coalition opens the door for increased collaboration among organizations wanting to support pediatric cancer research and services for children in our region,” said Bevie Hemby, speaking on behalf of The Alex Hemby Foundation and the Hemby family. “The needs of our children and families today truly transcend the resources of any single organization; it has been gratifying to see how these founding members have rallied around a common goal.
“We are excited to help make it possible to keep children and families together in Charlotte as they benefit from access to the most current research and clinical therapies.” The $5.7 million in funding will be used to expand staff, diagnostic and treatment equipment, and support services for Phase I and Phase II clinical trials, which are conducted to test the safety, effectiveness and best approaches for the use of new drugs and other inventions. Phase I clinical trials are the first step in testing new treatment approaches in people, enrolling a small number of patients. Phase II trials enroll a larger group of patients and focus on the effectiveness of specific agents or interventions.
“The success of Levine Children’s Hospital has been the result of broad-based support from throughout our community by those dedicated to the health and wellbeing of our children,” said Michael Rose, President of the Carolinas HealthCare Foundation. “The generous support from the Coalition clearly demonstrates that this commitment to excellence in pediatric healthcare remains strong in our community.” As one of the fastest growing programs at Levine Children’s Hospital, the Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Center treats patients with leukemia, lymphoma, neuroblastoma, brain tumors, kidney cancer, and bone and soft tissue tumors. In addition, the Center offers neuro-oncology services and blood and marrow transplantation. With the continuing expansion of its medical staff, the Hematology and Oncology Center now includes eight board-certified physicians with in-depth knowledge of the full range of childhood cancers, offering extensive surgical, chemotherapy and radiologic procedures. The Center’s pediatric patients also have access to a broad range of clinical research studies, including National Cancer Institute protocols for therapies under development. The Center has participated in more than 60 clinical trials through the internationally recognized Children’s Oncology Group, a collaborative initiative including patients, researchers and hospitals throughout the world.
More recently, the Center has joined two widely recognized consortia dedicated to fighting childhood cancer. These include Therapeutic Advances in Childhood Leukemia and Lymphoma (TACL), and the Neuroblastoma and Medulloblastoma Translational Research Consortium (NMTRC). Affiliation with these organizations will give children in the Carolinas access to novel drugs which were previously not available in the Carolinas. Phase I and Phase II clinical trials planned by the Center will focus on leukemia, lymphoma, neuroblastoma, brain tumors, kidney cancer, and other bone and soft tissue tumors.
“Clinical research is an essential element of our mission at Levine Children’s Hospital,” said Dr. Leonard Feld, Sara H. Bissell & Howard C. Bissell Endowed Chair in Pediatrics and Chief Medical Officer of Levine Children’s Hospital. “The expansion of Phase I and Phase II studies will lead to increasing our overall knowledge and enhancing the capability of our physicians and staff to provide new treatment options for our region’s children with cancer.”
About Levine Children’s Hospital
Levine Children’s Hospital (www.levinechildrenshospital.org) is a 234-bed hospital in Charlotte, North Carolina, located on the main campus of Carolinas Medical Center. It is the most comprehensive facility of its type between Atlanta, Georgia and Washington D.C. Levine Children’s Hospital is also home to the Ricky Hendrick Centers for Intensive Care, which support pediatric intensive and cardiovascular surgery patients. Just two years after opening, the hospital has grown to include more than 30 pediatric specialties and has received national recognition from U.S. News & World Report as one of “America’s Best Children’s Hospitals” for treatment of kidney disorders.
Levine Children’s Hospital is one of 32 hospitals affiliated with Carolinas HealthCare System (www.carolinashealthcare.org), one of the leading healthcare systems in the Southeast. Carolinas HealthCare System employs some 1,400 physicians and servespatients at more than 500 care locations including physician practices, nursing homes,surgical and rehabilitation centers, home health agencies and other facilities. Theseoperations comprise more than 6,300 licensed beds and employ some 44,000 people.
