Another outstanding year for Music For A Cure! This is truly a wonderful organization led by a selfless executive director. The time and energy devoted to the cause is extraordinary and worth noting so that others may experience the life changing effects that Music For A Cure brings to children who otherwise would not have this great experience. Keep up the good work MFAC and have another blockbuster year changing lives and bringing music that heals to the kids who need it most!
Previous Stories
MFAC is a great organization really making a difference in the lives of children. First hand they organize events and pay for Music Therapists salaries in children's hospital throughout Orange and Los Angeles Counties. They really are an organization worthwhile of your charitable donation or volunteerism.
I've been to a couple Music for a Cure benefits and really appreciate the feel of the fundraisers. It doesn't feel like a ton of money is being used for marketing but rather, the money's going to the people who needed it most: the pediatric cancer patients, some of whom go to the events. This is a real grass roots organization that has reached into the community and given to those who might have otherwise had no reason to be happy. Those who work for Music for a Cure do it with a lot of heart and passion as the fundraisers show. They put a lot into it so the benefactors can get more out of it.
Saw Sugar Ray in the District for a small venue gig to support the cause. As GM for my Band Pinch Me! that also works to support charitable movement for kids (Cure Duchenne and Autism Speaks), I was excited to see the energy the guys brought to the crowd and a good turnout that helped maximize the funds for this organization. Julie does a good job promoting and organizing the events, and the joy the music can bring these kids is awesome. Good job guys - keep it up and we are happy to be on your list for future events.
My personal experience with Music For A Cure is a direct one. I helped start the charity when many years ago I met a kid by the name of Ryan Bates, who had terminal cancer. He was a fan of our band, Sugar Ray, and we became friends after learning about his condition. Far from him being down-and-out when we met him, I remember a kid who was always smiling and full of energy. And when we put a guitar in his hands, he just lit up. I'd always understood the power of music, but I'd never seen it so perfectly defined in one single moment. That compelled us (my wife Julie, Gretchen & Rodney Sheppard, Mark McGrath and Stan Fraizer and countless others) to start a charity to help bring that power of music to kids who are suffering in hospitals. We started at Children's Hospital Los Angeles, and met some amazing people who helped us grow. We have recently worked with Children's Hospital Orange County, which makes sense because of all of the band's and board members Orange County roots. My personal experience through all the benefits and concerts and fundraisers has been extensive, and I appreciate all the kind and great people we have met and worked with through the years. It has always been about trying to help kids who have been dealt a tougher hand than most of us.
I'm a professional marketing and sales executive and have participated with this organization in their fund raising efforts...always professional and always willing to do service.
To really know what this group accomplishes..you'd need to be in a hospital room with the children who have no music and no distractions to their boredom and fears in their long stays.
Bringing instruments..boom boxes and funding music therapy is a gift these people just keep on giving.
They have given of their time and finances to grow this effort and it seems they're making more and more of an impact with each year.
Music for a Cure is sharing music with critically ill children and supporting music therapy programs at Children's Hospital Orange County, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Mattel Children's Hospital at UCLA and Millers Hospital in Long Beach. It also has plans to take their music therapy programs nationwide. They are reaching kids that wouldn't otherwise receive this therapeutic gift while they are experiencing suffering. It's putting joy in their lives.
I worked with music for a cure in conjunction with the release of our Music edition of our magazine, LOCALE. I was so impressed with every aspect of Music for a Cure. They were helpful (standing in line for permits and providing staff for the information tables) and someone we would definitely use again. What a great cause and what great people.
Music for a Cure truly touched our lives in such a positive way! My son, Ryan michael Bates got cancer back at the age of 15 and loved music and wrestling. Ryan like the band Sugar Ray and wanted to meet them. Not only Did Murphy and Julie Karges and Gretchen,Rodney and Campbell Sheppard welcome us they came over to our home daily and hung out inspired Ryan, gave him 2 guitars and lessons and recorded with in their home studio! The entire band made a birthday video to cheer him on on his 16th birthday. They even invited us when they performed on jay leno and also invited us to the Jingleball. Ryan knew julie wanted to start a nonprofit to help other kids like him and he named it before he passed away on 12/27/01 Music for a Cure!!! Since then they have help others like Ryan by bringing music therapy, instruments and lessons to help the spirit and soul in those sad days in the hospital. Music for a cure and all board members and the band Sugar ray are the most generous, kindess, most giving and caring individuals alive! Kind regards, Debby Bates(Ryan's Mom)
To whom it may concern,
My name is Eric Mammen, MT-BC and I am the music therapist at Children's Hospital of Orange County. I have seen first hand the dedication and determination Music For A Cure has for the population it serves. I am proud to be a partner with them in reaching as many children as possible. I am able to live out my dream of working with children within the hospital setting because of Music For A Cure.
Working with Music for a Cure is an honor. This organization possesses a genuinely, dignified vision and heart for the community of children with medical needs in hospitals and the music therapists working with these children. It takes a special person to make it their life goal to reach out to individuals with needs, and in this case, using music to benefit children's lives. In addition, this organization has a solid foundation, a reliable team, and excellent organizational and leadership skills. They are active in the community, looking for ways to make a positive impression on others, educating others and seeking to be more educated in related fields, to continue refining their own vision, and ultimately make a difference in the lives of children battling medical issues.
Julie Karges is an amazing and talented leader who works tirelessly on behalf of sick children and Music for a Cure. Her efforts to promote music therapy as an extremely beneficial treatment for critically ill children is tremendous. It is thrilling to see more funding for music therapy grow exponentially through Julie and her staff and volunteers' dedication!
