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22
May 21 • 2015
JN
According to the Ovarian
Cancer National Alliance, there
is no early detection test for
ovarian cancer. Symptoms may
include abdominal bloating or
discomfort, increased or urgent
urination, pelvic or abdominal
pain and difficulty eating or
feeling full quickly, fatigue,
upset stomach or heartburn,
back pain, pain during sex, con-
stipation or menstrual changes.
If diagnosed and treated early,
the five-year survival rate is
more than 90 percent. ❑
Elaine Greenberg with the Cliff Monear Trio and George "Saxman" Benson at a
previous year's Jazzalot concert
The Gift Of Music
Jazzalot concert raises funds to benefit cancer patients.
I
Shell! Liebman Dorfman
Contributing Writer
F
or Elaine Greenberg, the upbeat
music and inspirational tone of
her upcoming Jazzalot '15 concert
is a major perk to the underlying purpose
of the event, which is to raise funds to
purchase gifts for Metro Detroit cancer
patients.
The ninth annual musical event will
take place 7 p.m., Tuesday, May 26, at
Temple Israel in West Bloomfield, co-
sponsor of the concert along with the
nonprofit Living for Music, created by
Greenberg and her husband, Shelly, to
produce and market music for cancer
patients.
The evening will feature George
"Saxman" Benson, Rayse Biggs, the Cliff
Monear Trio and the young musicians
from the Southeastern Music Academy
Jazz Ensemble.
The concert is the offshoot of
Greenberg's tireless and unique involve-
ment with individuals undergoing cancer
treatment.
About a year after being diagnosed with
ovarian cancer, she began holding prayer
services and programming for cancer
patients and survivors.
Later, Greenberg, a retired piano and
voice teacher, who was a cantorial solo-
ist and junior choir conductor at Temple
Israel, began visiting individual patients,
bringing comfort and support in the form
of the gift of music, specifically by singing
to them.
After a while, she began to assemble
gift bags to take with her, filled with
hand-chosen items like bracelets, stuffed
animals, bottles for water, pen-sized hand-
sanitizers and a journal.
"We found a local business that has a
great skin care line, and the owner went to
the chemist to make sure all the beautiful
items were fragrance-free and free of any
harsh chemicals:' she said. And all the
companies we deal with always give us a
break in price"
Also in the bags are CDs of Greenberg's
uplifting music and inspirational talks
along with hand-knitted blankets cre-
ated, as a donation, by participants of the
JCC-based Cancer Thrivers Network for
Jewish Women, composed of cancer sur-
vivors, including Greenberg, who lives in
Farmington Hills.
"We make up 60 bags and distribute 20
to each of three different cancer centers:'
she said. "There is information in the bag
about why I do this and how to contact
us"
Hand-delivering the bags during
her visits holds a special objective for
Greenberg. "It is a way of giving them
hope and inspiration to hear that I am
a 15-year survivor. I always wear full
makeup and usually something teal, the
color of ovarian cancer awareness. I look
my very best so the patients know that a
cancer survivor still looks good in spite of
this horrid disease.
"We frequently have people ask me
how much the bags are, or they might tell
me 'I have no money: Their faces light up
when I say, 'There is no charge. This is a
gift: Both the patient and I have such good
feelings, though some of the stories leave
me terribly sad"
Personal Connection
Greenberg often still sings while calling
on patients but said, "I found it is more
important for me to talk with them and
listen to their stories because it's what I
wish someone would have done for me:'
In addition to her visits and compiling
and delivering the gift bags, Greenberg
speaks to students in medical fields to
increase awareness about ovarian cancer
symptoms and risk factors through her
position as Great Lakes regional coordina-
tor of Survivors Teaching Students: Saving
Women's Lives, sponsored by the Ovarian
Cancer National Alliance.
This year, admission tickets have been
gifted to individuals served by area agen-
cies that serve cancer patients, with some
of the organizations also receiving dona-
tions from concert proceeds.
"Tickets went to people who are not
only dealing with cancer but everything
that goes with the diagnosis; people who
would love the concert but paying for it
would not be possible Greenberg said. "It
is enough to deal with cancer and the cost
of the disease. I want people who are in
that position to be able to have an evening
of great music:'
The concert will focus on education and
awareness of ovarian cancer. Brochures
from Cancer Thrivers, Michigan Ovarian
Cancer Alliance, Beaumont Hospital's One
to One Ovarian Cancer Support Group
and the upcoming Michigan Jazz Festival
will be distributed at the event, where
Greenberg will sing.
"Most of the music at the concert will
be
she said. "But we always get
requests for some of the beautiful ballads
the musicians play so well.
"Detroit is home to some of the greatest
jazz musicians in the country, and we have
them right here on May 26. Their music is
fabulous and by purchasing a ticket, con-
cert-goers are supporting our mission:'
❑
Tickets for the 7 p.m. Tuesday,
May 26, Jazzalot '15 concert at
Temple Israel in West Bloomfield
may be purchased at the door
or by sending a self-addressed,
stamped envelope and a check
made out to Living For Music Inc.,
to: Living For Music Inc., 34056
W.13 Mile Road, Farmington Hills,
MI 48331.
For information, call: (248) 661-
6344 or email jazzconcert.lfm®
gmail.com .
Cost: $30. Cash or check only.