Young cancer patients play at Future Perfect festival
Press Release Posted 09 May 2012
A band of young patients at The Christie is taking
to the stage at the Future Perfect festival taking place in
Castlefield this Saturday.
The band, 'YOU62', was formed as patients at the South
Manchester cancer centre decided that their individual musical
talents would work well combined.
John Blaylock, a music therapist at The Christie, put the band
together, he said:
"All the band members have been affected by cancer in different
ways but being in the band is a shared experience. There is
definitely strength in numbers. Now that YOU62 practice regularly
together, they are close friends and their confidence as people,
and musicians, has increased."
The band's lead singer, Rik Tweedie, 25, from Wilmslow, was
recovering from chemotherapy for a brain tumour when he was
approached to be in the band, he said:
"Singing is my passion; I've loved it ever since I was roped
into joining a choir by my music teacher at school. I feel so happy
to be able to take part in Future Perfect this year as last year, l
was too ill after my operation to perform. It feels good to be able
to perform for other people who enjoy our music."
The band, whose name comes from the Young Oncology Unit (YOU)
where they were treated and the dates of their individual diagnoses
totalling 62, will play mainly covers at the festival including
'Run' by Leona Lewis, 'I'm Yours' by Jason Mraz and 'Hey Soul
Sister' by Train.
Future Perfect was originally set up by Lee Wyatt, from
Audenshaw, in 2009, who was himself a patient at The Christie but
sadly died from bowel cancer in 2010 aged 25 years old. Lee was a
passionate musician, DJ and music producer, whose mission was to
improve the lives of people affected by cancer through music, art
and comedy. Lee's mum, Linda Wyatt and his friend Adam Sayer
decided the most befitting tribute to Lee would be to create a
legacy in his memory and continue the annual festival.
All the proceeds from Future Perfect 3 will go towards
purchasing specialist equipment for The Christie's clinical trials
unit. The festival, which has three stages and a craft marquee,
will be held at Castlefield Arena on Saturday 12th May,
from 12pm.
Further information and tickets are available from the website,
www.futureperfectmanchester.co.uk,
or can be bought on the door on Saturday.
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