Houston, TX (March 12, 2008)
– CDs from
Purple Songs Can Fly, a creative music program unique to
Texas Children’s Cancer Center, soared into outer space and traveled
to the International Space Station aboard space shuttle Discovery
with NASA astronaut,Scott Parazynski. On March 12, Parazynski
returned the CDs to the cancer patients at Texas Children’s for a
special celebration.
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| Purple Songs
Can Fly songwriter, Zachary Tavlin
thanks Astronaut Scott Parazynski for
flying 55 Purple Songs to the
International Space station and back.
Anita Kruse, founder of the
Purple Songs Can Fly
project, is delighted with the return of
the “outer space” CDs.
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Watch
Purple Songs on the News |
CBS
11 News
clip
Fox 26 news clip |
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As part of Texas Children’s
Cancer Center’s
Arts in Medicine program, Purple Songs Can Fly
offers an in-house recording studio where pediatric cancer patients
and their siblings have an opportunity to write and record their own
music. The creative program gives kids a musical outlet that allows
their spirits to soar above their earthbound pain and treatment for
cancer.
Inspired by the program, NASA astronaut, Scott Parazynski, flew the
songs on his space mission to the International Space Station and
back. "Not even the sky can limit these special songs,” says
Parazynski. “I’m pleased to return the CDs and meet some of the
great kids who created these inspirational songs.”
Purple Songs Can Fly is the brainchild of musician and composer,
Anita Kruse, who enlisted the creative talent of her good friend and
professional songwriter, Sandy Stewart. Together, they help patients
set their feelings to music.
“Each child who wants to participate can brainstorm their feelings
as we work with them to create song lyrics,” says Kruse, director of
Purple Songs Can Fly. “We experiment with musical rhythms based on
the type of music the child likes. We set the lyrics to an
appropriate beat and have the child sing with the music. As the
child steps into the studio and sings their own words into the
microphone, we can see their joy shine through. It’s a moment when
they seem transported to another place. It’s like they are flying
and rising above their physical illnesses. I believe each purple
song creates a tangible symbol for the hope of healing.”
Twelve-year-old Stephen recorded his first single, “I Can Make It,”
after being diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma. Like many children
diagnosed with cancer, Stephen was quiet about
his struggle, unable to verbalize the complex emotions caused by the
disease. His song was a breakthrough. A prayer repeated by Stephen’s
mom became the inspiration for his lyrics -- a confident declaration
of hope. Through the help of Purple Songs’ talented composers and
songwriters, Stephen’s song is one of 55 songs that have been
recorded since the program’s inception in 2005.
Why Purple? As a combination of blue and red, Kruse believes purple
is an ideal color that can stimulate a child’s creativity. It’s
often associated with inspiration, imagination, courage, healing,
strength and confidence she says.
Carol Herron, coordinator of the Arts in Medicine program at Texas
Children’s Cancer Center, praises the unique program. “These
children are given a highly creative, much-needed musical
environment to express the many and varied thoughts and feelings
that will surely emerge during their treatment,” she said. “Every
song encapsulates where these children are right now. It’s not about
being sick, it’s about being full of life and what’s important to
them at that moment.”
The goal of the Arts in Medicine program at Texas Children’s Cancer
Center is to provide enjoyable, educational and meaningful artistic
opportunities to patients and their families. Artistic activities by
and for children create opportunities for self-expression,
empowerment and development of coping skills. Making music, singing
songs, performing dance, producing plays, writing and telling
stories and decorating spaces with visual art enhances the healing
environment and treatment experience.
In recognition of the healing power of creativity, hospitals across
the United States have implemented their own art and music programs.
However, Purple Songs Can Fly is the only known program that not
only empowers children by giving them a musical outlet, but also
provides the means necessary for that music to be heard around the
world.
About Purple Songs Can Fly
Purple Songs Can Fly is a non-profit organization dedicated to
providing a creative, musical outlet for children at Texas
Children’s Cancer Center through use of an in-house recording studio
and the talents of local composers and musicians.
Listen to a "Purple song".
About Texas Children’s Cancer Center
As the largest pediatric cancer and hematology research and
treatment center in the country, Texas Children’s Cancer Center is
dedicated to providing personalized, high quality, family-centered
care to children, adolescents and young adults with cancer and blood
disorders. Renowned worldwide for its expertise and breakthrough
developments in clinical care and research, Texas Children’s is
committed to implementing innovative laboratory research and
treatment advances aimed at curing and preventing childhood cancer
and blood disorders and to providing world-class training and
education for current and future leaders in the field.
