Cancer-fighting teen gets help from legendary music producer to fight childhood cancer through song

 “The Will to Survive”  hits radio stations in September, which is
Childhood Cancer Awareness Month

Toronto, On -- Teenager Megan McNeil wanted to help other kids in the chemo ward. Battling a rare cancer called Adrenalcortical Carcinoma, she wrote a song to lift her spirits and theirs, never dreaming it would soon be produced by legendary music producer Garth Richardson (Hedley, Rage Against the Machine). But that’s exactly what happened. The result? “The Will to Survive,” a beautiful uplifting song that celebrates anyone who faces adversity and keeps on going, but especially kids battling cancer. The song is on sale on iTunes and Amazon.ca effective immediately, and will be played on radio stations nationwide starting in September, which is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.  

A portion of proceeds will go to The James Fund for Neuroblastoma Research, which funds the James Birrell Laboratories at The Hospital for Sick Children and its research into neuroblastoma, one of the deadliest childhood cancers; and BCCCPA, a parents group engaged in support for families battling childhood cancers.  

Richardson, along with music icon Bob Ezrin (Pink Floyd, Alice Cooper), recently produced Young Artists for Haiti’s version of K’naan’s “Waivin’ Flag,” which debuted at number one on Billboard Magazine’s Canadian Hot 100 and helped fundraising efforts for earthquake relief in Haiti.

“It’s great to be able to raise awareness and money for such great causes during Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. But what hooked me originally was the song itself,” said Garth Richardson, who has won one Juno, received three Juno nominations, and been nominated for a Grammy. The first time I heard it, I couldn’t get it out of my head.  I realized pretty quickly there was something very powerful there, and that Megan had something really important to say.”

From there, Richardson introduced her to indie-favourite singer/songwriter Ryan McMahon. McMahon helped finesse the final version of the song, accompanying her in the recording session and providing back-up vocals. Other cancer-fighting kids also leant their voices to this song of hope and celebration for the recording session. Many of them will be on hand to help kick off the song officially at a soon to be announced launch event in advance of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. 

“It’s tough to be a kid battling cancer. It’s hard to be a family facing the financial strain and emotional worry that comes with childhood cancer. I wrote the song to give them hope in the dark moments. And when you are fighting childhood cancer, there are many dark moments.” 

“The Will to Survive” team is grateful to all sponsors, especially Toshiba of Canada Limited, and would also like to thank the Childhood Cancer Foundation, especially past board member Dan Mornar, past President David Stones and CCF’s Director of Marketing and Communications, Mary Lye, who nurtured the song in its infancy.

Founded in November of 2002, BCCCPA is a registered non-profit charitable society whose mission is to raise awareness and support for children and youth with cancer and blood disorders and their families. BCCCPA’s Family Financial Aid Program is a prime example of how some of this support and awareness is designed and delivered. Other BCCCPA activities include annual grants to childhood cancer research projects along with advocacy for initiatives and programs that help to enhance the quality of life for children and youth with cancer and blood disorders.

The James Fund was established by the family of James Birrell to generate funds and knowledge leading to new therapies for the treatment of patients with neuroblastoma. James died of the disease in 2001 at the age of 8. The James Fund has rapidly grown to be Canada’s leading neuroblastoma research initiative and its benefactor, the James Birrell Research Laboratories at The Hospital for Sick Children, is growing its reputation as one of the best hope kids with neuroblastoma have anywhere in the world.  To date, seventeen research projects have been funded, twenty-five papers published, a drug-testing unit has been established, eight international collaborations are underway, and a new clinical trial is  bringing new hope to the parents of children suffering from this terrible childhood cancer. Hollywood actor Tom Hanks is its Honourary Patron.

There is a Facebook Page called I want to give children fighting cancer The Will to Survive where fans can get regular updates and the website www.willtosurvive.org features the latest news, videos and other information. A video in support of the song will launch on or around August 9. The song can be purchased on iTunes at http://itunes.apple.com/ca/album/the-will-to-survive/id378380828 and the website is www.willtosurvive.org

-30-