To Life!
A
NESS
And All That Jazz
A fundraising concert demonstrates the healing power of music.
Elaine Greenberg
Shell Liebman Dorfman
Senior Writer
A
n ovarian cancer survivor,
Elaine Greenberg of Farmington
Hills has been on a mission to
comfort those who are ill, spread the word
on early diagnostic testing and fundraise
for research toward a cure.
"And the way I reach people is through
music:' said Greenberg, a voice and piano
teacher for 35 years. "Music is my passion
and I am using it in every way I know how
to help save lives."
After creating two fundraising CDs,
Greenberg has organized a 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, May 16, jazz concert at
Hammell Music in Commerce Township,
with proceeds going to the National
Ovarian Cancer Coalition (NOCC).
"Last year, 22,000 women were diag-
nosed with ovarian cancer, and it is
estimated that 16,000 of those will die
Greenberg said. "These statistics are
overwhelming and frightening. With early
detection, many lives can be saved. This is
the job NOCC hopes to accomplish."
The concert will feature the Cliff
Monear Trio along with Detroit-based
saxophonist George Benson.
"Those who know jazz know it doesn't
get much better than this combination,"
she said. "For those who want to know
George Benson
Cliff Monear
more about jazz, I can promise a fun-
filled, musical happening that will have
you snapping your fingers and tapping
your toes."
Greenberg brings music into everything
she touches, including motivational speak-
ing to cancer patients, survivors and their
families. A regular visitor to the Barbara
Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute in Detroit,
she often accompanies a music therapist
on visits.
"What happens is an interaction between
the patients and me that may begin with
me singing and them singing with me —
and ends with them getting the human side
of things by talking and asking questions of
a cancer survivor:' she said.
A Gift
From the sales of Greenberg's two CDs she
has been able to purchase CD players for
patients at Karmanos to listen to music.
The proceeds — and donations from
Costco in Commerce Township and
Trader Joe's in Farmington Hills — also
allowed her to create a gift for those she
visits. "They are insulated bags with
bottled water, a teddy bear, oatmeal and
honey soap, one of my CDs and a boxed,
wrapped bracelet:' she said. The sterling
silver, rice pearl bracelet with teal and
amethyst Swarovski crystals was designed
and handmade by Lindsey Fox of West
Bloomfield, Greenberg's co-chair for the
upcoming jazz concert. Fox, 25, also cre-
ated "The Healing Power of Music" logo
printed on each bag and bear.
After Fox's sister's 26-year-old friend
died last year of ovarian cancer, Fox began
to learn about the disease. "Both of my sis-
ters and I went to our doctor to be tested:'
she said. "We are all fine, but we learned
that ovarian cancer in younger women is
more deadly than in one who is older."
In addition to Fox's bracelets, Greenberg
has distributed the official ovarian cancer
bracelet. "It says on it, t whispers, so lis-
ten,' Fox said. "And that's the whole point,
women don't know they have it."
According to NOCC, ovarian cancer
symptoms are difficult to detect in the
early stages but may include pelvic or
abdominal pain or discomfort, vague but
persistent gastrointestinal upsets, frequent
urination, unexplained weight changes,
pelvic or abdominal bloating, ongoing,
unusual fatigue and unexplained changes
in bowel habits.
Although there is no consistently reli-
able screening test to detect ovarian
cancer, pelvic exams, ultrasounds and the
CA-125 blood test may be beneficial tools.
A Pap test does not detect ovarian cancer.
Volunteer Katie Moses of Bloomfield
Hills will organize a dessert reception fol-
lowing the concert.
Greenberg's gift bag for cancer patients
Greenberg's husband, Shelly, who con-
tacted publishers, located a recording
studio and worked on marketing for her
CDs, also helped plan the concert, utilizing
computer skills, printing tickets and pho-
tographing publicity images.
"It's been seven years and three
months since the date I was diagnosed:'
Greenberg said. "I consider myself a
walking miracle and I want to see more
miracles. I get sick to my stomach every
time I hear of a woman dying of ovarian
cancer — or any cancer — because it was
caught too late." I
For information on the 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, May 16, concert, call
Linda Hanway at Hammell Music
at (248) 624-8111 or e-mail Elaine
Greenberg at: yasherke@twmi.
rr.com .
Tickets are available at Hammel!
Music, 2700 E. Maple Road in
Commerce Township or by sending a
check, payable to NOCC of Eastern
Michigan, to Elaine Greenberg,
34056 W.13 Mile Road, Farmington
Hills, MI, 48331. Include name,
address and phone number. Tickets
will be held at the door, and can are
available at the concert. Cost is $30.
Donations to NOCC may also be
mailed to Elaine Greenberg.
May 3
a
2007
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