Music fest supports child's cancer journey
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Updated: July 16, 2009 2:53 PM
For the Love of a Child: The Journey Continues — an outdoor Langley benefit event for a little girl recovering from cancer, will be held on Sunday, July 26 from 2:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Spirit Square in Douglas Park.
At three years old, Julia lost her leg to osteosarcoma, and later had a malignant lung tumour — often associated with the bone cancer — removed.
Now seven and a half, Julia is continually undergoing therapy to aid in her rehabilitation.
“It’s been an amazing journey. She has the coolest little spirit,” said Julia’s aunt, Jackie Maksymiw, who is organizing the event — her second fundraiser in support of her niece.
Hospitalization and all the related costs of Julia’s treatment and recovery have taken a toll on the family’s finances, so Maksymiw set out to help last year, with a fundraiser titled The Journey Begins.
It raised about $2,500.
“She’s doing well, in terms of her health,” Maksymiw said of her niece.
“She’s just finished her first year in public school.”
Julia’s mother Christy, who is Maksymiw’s sister, is a singer who performs both musical theatre and opera. Maksymiw makes her living as a nurse but also loves to sing.
So it was only natural that when she decided to try to raise funds for Julia’s treatment, the event would have a strong musical component — in this case a six-hour-long concert in the park.
The day’s entertainment will include a variety of individual and group instrumental and vocal artists, from classical, gospel, contemporary, jazz and rock, as well as dancers, and a comedian, all pulled together by master of ceremonies, Jose Manzano.
“There are roughly 15 performers (taking part). Some are doing as little as one number, while others are doing a 45-minute set,” said Maksymiw, who will be among the singers taking the stage at the Spirit Square that day.
“There are plenty of different styles. I’m very excited about that.”
The artists, who hail from Vancouver to Chilliwack, including Surrey, Langley and Aldergrove, are offering their time and talent at no charge.
Admission is by donation, and Maksymiw is hopeful the concert will raise about $6,500.
That would be enough to cover the cost of putting on the concert and put $5,000 in an account set aside for Julia’s treatment and equipment.
Maksymiw would like to see her niece take specialized dance classes as part of her recovery, to help keep therapy creative and fun for the little girl.
“Last year, she asked me to teach her to do a cartwheel,” Maksymiw said.
Although Julia didn’t manage to complete the trick, Maksymiw is pleased the little girl is getting the message that nothing is impossible.
“It’s something for her to work towards.”
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