On March 9th, Voices of Hope (VOH), a local non?profit organization dedicated to raising funds for cancer research through musical performance, presented a check in the amount of $113,500 to the Henri and Belinda Termeer Center for Targeted Therapies at the Mass General Cancer Center. This donation, their largest to date, brings VOH’s contribution to cancer research beyond the half?million mark. Established in 2009 as a way to honor loved ones impacted by cancer, VOH has achieved a great level of success in raising funds through theatrical and musical performances large and small, in venues such as Symphony Hall, North Shore Music Theatre, TD Garden, Gillette Stadium, the Hatch Shell, and Fenway Park.
This group of dedicated members voluntarily work year?round to attract donors who support their journey. They have successfully secured private and corporate sponsors, including Fuddruckers, Conquer Cancer Coalition, and Walmart to help offset the significant costs associated with theatrical production. It is through these efforts that VOH has connected with thousands of people who are moved by the power and passion of their song and have joined their ever?growing community of hope for a cure.
“Each of our productions are created to spread joy and hope, while honoring the strength and resilience of individuals meeting the tremendous challenges cancer brings,” said Greg Chastain, VOH Founder & President. “Our common experience helps us appreciate the significance of being able to celebrate one more birthday, be present for a first day of school, or dance at a loved one’s wedding. I can’t imagine a better gift than helping to make those important dreams come true.” The Termeer Center has been the proud recipient of annual support from VOH since their 2012 season. Amazingly, VOH has become the second?highest donor (after the Termeer’s themselves) to support the many costs associated with the Termeer Center’s early phase clinical trials of promising new therapies and related studies. Keith Flaherty, MD, Director of the Termeer Center accepted the significant donation from VOH at the check presentation on March 9th. “The efforts that we have undertaken in the past several years –accelerated by Voices of Hope’s support – have allowed us to understand why it is that one patient responds to a therapy so much better than another,” says Dr. Flaherty.
“When we take that learning to the broader cancer population, it allows us to match patients to therapies in a much more precise way.” From the performers, to the choreographers, musicians, back?stage tech, and directors, VOH productions usually represent more than 100 members. Personally impacted by cancer and dedicated to finding a cure, these volunteers collectively donate thousands of hours to rehearsal and planning every year, inspired by the possibilities born by significant advances being achieved through cancer research.
“Voices of Hope is an incredible organization,” says Erika Rosato, RN, Nurse Director at the Termeer Center. “They are everyday people on an amazing mission; something our staff can relate to at the Termeer Center. They come to work every day to provide the absolute best care to our patients and to make that next research breakthrough. We inspire each other and I think we make a great team.”
Visit www.voicesofhopeboston.org to learn more.