Let th take care of you. With great rates, an even better staff, and the speediest buses in the business, trust Qwik Park to get you to the airport Qwik as a flash. Save time. Reserve online! qwikpark.com 7782 Merriman Rd., Romulus, MI Exit 198 from 1-94 Exit 20 from 1-275 1.888.844.7275 • qwikpark.com 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.