Evie Clair

Tag: cancer

  • A Letter to Nightbirde

    A Letter to Nightbirde

    Dear Jane,

    Pain. If there is a faster path to heaven, let me know when you find it. For now, I suppose that we’re on it together.

    Four years ago I found myself on America’s Got Talent, my dad was dying of cancer, and I felt like giving up on a lot more than just the show. The pain was the only thing that outweighed the fear. It hurt so badly to watch him fight so hard, just to see him lose a little more each day. It was enough to make even the biggest stage in the world feel meaningless. I can’t congratulate you enough for having pushed so far.

    I think we both know that all of this is so much more than a talent show. The music is so much more than the hits. The pain is so much more than a story.  There’s a grand purpose to so much pain, and my dad knew it. He always told me, “men are that they might have joy.” In other words, “You can’t wait until life isn’t hard anymore before you decide to be happy.”

    So, we sing on TV. We sing to ourselves. We sing to God, and know that He hears through the off-notes, and the sloppy prose. I couldn’t help but smile at “It’s OK”. It brought me face to face with my 13 year old self, writing “Okay Day”. Although I hadn’t had an okay day in a long time, I knew that if I sang it anyways it might just come true. My dad taught me that. He was right.

    I hope that this letter finds you well. I hope that everyone can find as much strength in your story as I do. You’re never alone.

    -Evie Clair

     

  • Limelight Gala

    Limelight Gala

    This is Evie’s second time performing for the Limelight Gala. Her first time was in Philadelphia just after America’s Got Talent. This year because of COVID, the event was done virtually. Evie’s performance starts about and hour and 8 minutes into the program.

    HEADstrong’s virtual event is hosted by Fox29’s Good Day Philadelphia co-anchor Thomas Drayton celebrated the 25-year career of Jacqui Melott, a devoted frontline oncology nurse at the Abramson Cancer Center of the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.  The event also honored the courageous Delaney Unger, a 14-year old whose dancing career was halted when she was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma and her triumphant return to fulfilling her dream of dancing much in part to receiving rotationplasty surgery.  HEADstrong also recognized the relentless efforts of the Radcliffe family of West Chester, PA, who have embarked on an incredible journey in partnership with the HEADstrong Foundation, through the creation of the Charlotte Grace Fund, to help local families overcome by pediatric cancers in loving memory of their daughter, who bravely battled Medulloblastoma, a malignant form of brain cancer.

    Through the virtual event, viewers will have the ability to interact and contribute to the HEADstrong Foundation.  Proceeds will underwrite a full year of lodging and comfort at Nick’s House, a guest residence that welcomes families to the City of Brotherly Love during the most critical, vulnerable and desperate time of their lives as they pursue lifesaving treatment only available in Philadelphia.  In addition to the online program, the event featured an unbelievable silent auction featuring packages, memorabilia, experiences, luxury items.

    The COVID-19 pandemic has only added a layer of complexity for those navigating a pre-existing cancer fight and delays in treatment have posed several challenges for those requiring necessary and time sensitive treatments.  The economic impact has been equally devastating and the need for funding is at an all-time high.

    The HEADstrong Foundation exists to improve lives affected by cancer.  The organization was founded by Nicholas “HEAD’ Colleluori, a beloved student-athlete from the Philadelphia suburbs, who was terminally diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and created the organization from his hospital bed to serve as the resource that he wished existed for his own family during their greatest time of need.  Colleluori was a D1 athlete at the time of his diagnosis whose battle was chronicled by ESPN, who used his platform to put forth tangible solutions to the everyday challenges of families living the reality of cancer.