Farmington Hills Woman's May 22 Jazz Concert Raises Funds to Help Cancer Patients

While Elaine Greenberg was recovering 12 years ago from painful treatment for ovarian cancer, music gave her strength.

On May 22, she and other musicians will share that strength during the 6th Annual Jazzalot: Music for the Soul benefit concert, held at , 5725 Walnut Lake Rd. in West Bloomfield. Funds raised provide gift bags that bring comfort and a little fun into the lives of area cancer patients.

Greenberg, who lives in Farmington Hills with her husband, Shelley, was diagnosed with cancer in 2000, after months of not feeling well. 

"It was such a shock to me," she said. "Cancer doesn't run in the family." 

While the surgery and months of chemo were gruelling, the disease also came with a positive side. "Life becomes a little sweeter. Everything becomes more important than it did before," Greenberg said. 

While music has always been part of her life, it also became more dear to her.

"When I was in a lot of pain, I would sit at the piano or I would walk around singing," Greenberg recalled. At the time, a friend had a musical radio program, and "that was part of my healing. One night someone asked for 'With a Song in My Heart', and I thought, 'You got my ovaries, but you did not get my voice.'." 

Bringing comfort to cancer patients

As she recovered, Greenberg began to think about how she could use her voice to help others. She initially recorded a CD, with the Detroit-based Cliff Monear Trio, to raise funds that provided gifts of music to cancer patients. She also created a program called "The Healing Power of Music" that a friend suggested she turn into a fundraising concert. 

The first Jazzalot was held at Hammel Music (now Steinway Piano Gallery) in Commerce Township, featuring Greenberg, the Monear trio and noted Detroit saxaphone player George Benson. When Hammel Music closed several years ago, Greenberg turned to Temple Israel, whose clergy and members helped her through her bout with cancer. She calls the temple "my second home". 

Benson will also perform for this year's concert, along with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra (DSO) Civic Jazz Orchestra, an ensemble that is part of the DSO's youth music program. Greenberg said the events typically raise enough to provide 50 to 100 high quality gift bags, each containing a stuffed bear, stadium blanket, a specially-designed bracelet and other useful or comforting items. 

"I only know when I show up with these bags, their eyes light up," Greenberg said. "I usually sing for them, it just makes a very pleasant hour ... I think back when I sat there, I would have liked somebody to come in with a smile on their face ... and say here's something nice for you." 

Tickets to the May 22, 7:30 p.m. concert at Temple Israel are $30 and are tax deductible. You can purchase them at the door or pre-pay by sending a check or money order to Living For Music, Inc., 34056 W. 13 Mile Rd., Farmington Hills, MI 48331, and include a self-addressed, stamped envelope. (Credit cards are not accepted.)

Learn more by writing to jazzconcert.lfm@gmail.com, calling 248-661-6344 or visiting livingformusic.com, where you can also order Greenberg's CD.

Survivors, caregivers help future physicians

Along with the concerts, Greenberg volunteers with a program that connects ovarian cancer survivors and medical students. The disease can be difficult to diagnose; Greenberg said she saw 11 doctors before finally being diagnosed. 

"We tell our stories not to criticize, but to educate them in how to detect the disease earlier," she said. "We will speak to anybody in the medical field who's going to come across all these vague symptoms."

As a regional coordinator, she said she is always looking for ovarian cancer survivors or those who have been caregivers for them to take part in the program. For information, contact Greenberg at yasherke@gmail.com or 248-661-4999, or Marcia Gurche, mgurche@wowway.com, 586-323-0838.