By: Molly Flodder—
Muncie, IN—Survivor Voices, the East Central Indiana cancer survivor choir comprised of people from age 24 to 84, will host a “Survivors’ Sing Along” festival. Anyone who is a cancer survivor or has been or is a primary caregiver is invited to participate in the festival on Saturday, Feb. 22 at 4:00 p.m. at Westminster Village, 5801 W. Bethel in Muncie.
The event will begin with a rehearsal, a dinner will follow, then a break and at 7:00 p.m. a short concert for residents or visitors from the community.
“We welcome anyone who fits our criterion and loves to sing,” said Vicki Jeffers, co-director of the choir. “Being able to read music is helpful, but not necessary. The music is familiar, our choir knows the songs and is looking forward to having others join them.”
To participate, survivors and caregivers must register by Tuesday, Feb. 18 by calling 765-760-1134.
Survivor Voices was founded in 2013 by Michael Williamson, MD, a local oncologist who led the group for three seasons. Directing along with Jeffers is Molly Flodder. The group, currently made up of people from Delaware and Randolph counties, is filling its performance calendar for 2020. The group sings and shares testimonials at community events, service clubs, churches, and nursing homes. A highlight of the year will be the third-annual benefit concert in partnership with the Ball State University Singers in October and a Christmas concert in December.
Having just begun their season, Survivor Voices is beginning to collect donations from people in the community who would like to honor or remember their loved ones who have or are suffering from cancer or have been primary caregivers. These tributes will be shared at events in March-October, and then collection of memorial designations will begin in November for 2021.
Diagnoses range from breast cancer to prostate cancer, from melanoma to ovarian cancer. “We all have cancer in common,” said choir member Gail Green. “And we are also support for each other. We love to laugh, we love to share, and most of all, we love to sing!”
