It has been a whirlwind of activity in recent weeks! The Dempsey Challenge (annual fundraising event for The Patrick Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope & Healing - www.dempseychallenge.com and www.dempseycenter.org) on October 8 and 9 was an absolutely amazing weekend that I will never forget. I met so many wonderful people and happily reconnected with several survivors that I met last year and formed a number of new friendships. I was blessed to be able to be a source of inspiration to the participants and volunteers at the Dempsey Challenge as well, singing two strong and heartfelt National Anthems for nearly 4,000 people in a fantastic array of team shirts. On Saturday I walked the 5K with my family, and on Sunday my husband cycled. A great time was had by all!
Then came Saturday night. I was excited, nervous...to me it felt like preparing myself to go to The Grammys or to the Sundance Film Festival! I wrote a song and produced a video called "Chairs" that I had shared with Mary Dempsey, and she was so moved by it that she asked me to share it at the Dempsey Challenge Champions of Hope Banquet. That evening there were many wonderful, emotional stories from Patrick Dempsey, caregivers, survivors, and participants. I had the honor of giving the top fundraiser award and had the opportunity to tell this gentleman what his fundraising for The Dempsey Center means to me and my family. Then, at the end of the evening, just before Patrick Dempsey's closing remarks, Mark Turcotte of The Dempsey Center offered the following introduction: "We have something we would like to share with you from singer/songwriter Kristen Short. You may remember the Short Family featured in a Dempsey Center video last year. Kristen was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2010 and has undergone treatment the past year. Despite her diagnosis and treatment, she has continued to write and perform music. Kristen's cancer journey and experiences with The Dempsey Center, the caregivers of CMMC, and fellow patients and their families have inspired her to write a song and produce a video. This is 'Chairs' by Kristen Short." From the very first piano note (performed by Heather Pierson, percussion by Rusty Wiltjer, and guitar by Alan Bean), the standing-room-only group of people fell silent and watched the five minute music video with a display of emotion that brought tears to my own eyes. (As many people described that were there that evening, "there wasn't a dry eye in the house" after the presentation) I received rounds of hugs, the first from my husband, and as I made it across the room, I received big hugs from Patrick, Mary and Mrs. Dempsey. It was incredible to share this song this way!
The limited edition "Chairs" CD single/DVD set is available at the www.kshort.com web site. CD/DVD sets are $10.00 each (plus $2.00 shipping and handling), and 50% of proceeds benefit the Dempsey Center. If you'd like to take a peek online, here's a YouTube link to the video: www.youtube.com/user/seasirenmusic If you like the song, please help support the Dempsey Center in my independent fundraising efforts and order a CD/DVD set!
Thank you so much for your support!
Best wishes,
Kristen Short
Singer/Songwriter
