Over a hundred attendees stepped out in support last Thursday, May 2nd, to take part in an emotionally charged musical event to kick off a music program seven years in the making. Teen Cancer America’s “Play It Back Songs” launch party, hosted at Apogee Studios in Santa Monica, was filled with riveting performances by young cancer survivors who created original songs and recordings through the new music program.
The night was a glimpse of what music producer and Play It Back Program Manager, Kenli Mattus and Teen Cancer America’s Hospital Programs and Services Director, Hilary Gan, envision for the future of Play It Back Songs.
“These young people have been through more than most can imagine and they have so much to share,” said Mattus.
The performances saw Sierra Washburne, Nathan Newman, Brian Smith, Leticia Vasquez, and Patrick Eck bare their souls by sharing their challenges and angst that affected them throughout their cancer journey.
“Everything I went through was worth it because I get to do cool stuff like this,” said Vasquez who performed her song “Long Day,” in which she got emotional singing her line, I’m so grateful for this time.
The performances were made all the more powerful by the fact that most had never sung in public before. They were energized to be performing for a packed house that included the likes of multi-platinum music producer Benny Blanco, award-winning artists, Portugal. The Man; and Billboard Top-100 artist, Charlie Puth who have all been instrumental in supporting this growing program.
Accompanied by Mattus, musical writer/producers Jon Levine, Brock Pollock, and Shaun Jacobs, the show culminated in a chorus with Portugal.The Man, Blanco and all of the performers singing “Dangerous Love,” a song by Jian Mehta who died earlier this year.
Jian’s father, Jimit Mehta, presented a check for $10,000 at the end of the evening and called for more support for this innovative program that could be offered to young people with cancer across the USA, saying “You guys set Jian on a path that changed everything in the last part of his life. He was inspired…you couldn’t take that away from him…the fact that you gave him the opportunity, it meant everything.”
“Let’s raise one big stick and that’s 1 million bucks for this program,” Jimit said. TCA co-founder, Rebecca Rothstein, and Executive Director Simon Davies opened the event honoring the Wands-Burn family for raising the initial seed money for this program.
The band Portugal. The Man surprised the crowd by playing their global smash hit “Feel It Still”
“To see a night like this come together, it’s gorgeous,” said Eric Howk of Portugal. The Man.
Help Play It Back Songs grow and support young people with cancer at (The Play It Back Songs Launch Party
Over a hundred attendees stepped out in support last Thursday, May 2nd, to take part in an emotionally charged musical event to kick off a music program seven years in the making. Teen Cancer America’s “Play It Back Songs” launch party, hosted at Apogee Studios in Santa Monica, was filled with riveting performances by young cancer survivors who created original songs and recordings through the new music program.
The night was a glimpse of what music producer and Play It Back Program Manager, Kenli Mattus and Teen Cancer America’s Hospital Programs and Services Director, Hilary Gan, envision for the future of Play It Back Songs.
“These young people have been through more than most can imagine and they have so much to share,” said Mattus.
The performances saw Sierra Washburne, Nathan Newman, Brian Smith, Leticia Vasquez, and Patrick Eck bare their souls by sharing their challenges and angst that affected them throughout their cancer journey.
“Everything I went through was worth it because I get to do cool stuff like this,” said Vasquez who performed her song “Long Day,” in which she got emotional singing her line, I’m so grateful for this time.
The performances were made all the more powerful by the fact that most had never sung in public before. They were energized to be performing for a packed house that included the likes of multi-platinum music producer Benny Blanco, award-winning artists, Portugal. The Man; and Billboard Top-100 artist, Charlie Puth who have all been instrumental in supporting this growing program.
Accompanied by Mattus, musical writer/producers Jon Levine, Brock Pollock, and Shaun Jacobs, the show culminated in a chorus with Portugal.The Man, Blanco and all of the performers singing “Dangerous Love,” a song by Jian Mehta who died earlier this year.
Jian’s father, Jimit Mehta, presented a check for $10,000 at the end of the evening and called for more support for this innovative program that could be offered to young people with cancer across the USA, saying “You guys set Jian on a path that changed everything in the last part of his life. He was inspired…you couldn’t take that away from him…the fact that you gave him the opportunity, it meant everything.”
“Let’s raise one big stick and that’s 1 million bucks for this program,” Jimit said. TCA co-founder, Rebecca Rothstein, and Executive Director Simon Davies opened the event honoring the Wands-Burn family for raising the initial seed money for this program.
The band Portugal. The Man surprised the crowd by playing their global smash hit “Feel It Still”
“To see a night like this come together, it’s gorgeous,” said Eric Howk of Portugal. The Man.
Help Play It Back Songs grow and support young people with cancer at (
TCA board members Maria Taylor and her husband, Dr. Glenn Taylor, hosted ‘Cocktails for Cancer’ in Woodbury, CT at the Good News Restaurant & Bar to support Teen Cancer America.
“Glenn and I were overwhelmed by the positive response we received from our tiny Connecticut community. The out pouring of love and support for our cause was simply amazing,” said Maria Taylor.
The highlight of the night was when two young advocates, Lauren Telesz and Mafalda Von Alvensleben, were able to share their personal stories and experience as young cancer survivors. As the night drew to a close and donations were collected, the event had raised over $23,000!
Lauren Telesz explained, “I had an absolutely wonderful time at the event. It was such a well-planned fundraiser and the lovely venue was filled to the brim with a crowd of incredibly warm-hearted, enthusiastic, and generous people. I was so grateful for the opportunity Maria and Dr. Taylor gave me to speak a little bit about what it is like to be a teenager with cancer and what it means to support the mission of TCA. I was touched by how many people came up after to talk with me and discuss the organization; no matter the age, it seemed that everyone at the fundraiser truly understood and appreciated the work TCA was doing. I met a couple whose teenager received treatment for his cancer at the same facility as myself; in discussing our respective experiences we realized we had been in the unit at the same time! It was shocking their son and I never met and in that moment the necessity for teen oncology clinics couldn’t have been stronger. I’d love to thank Maria and all the hard work she put into the event!” Thank you to Maria and Dr. Glenn Taylor for all your hard work and dedication to the charity! Also thank you to the supporters and sponsors of this event: State Farm Insurance – Dave DeLotto, Klemm Real Estate, Inc.,Waterbury Hospital, Dr. & Mrs. Michael Karnasiewicz, Town of Oxford Park and Rec, ConnectiCare, The Quain Family, US Bank, Ericson Insurance Advisors TMF, Inc., Law Offices of Dana D’Angelo, Newtown Savings Bank – Theresa Torino, Woodbury 787 Main LLC, UBS Donor-Advised Fund, Donald T. Ford Sr. and Son Pools LLC, Dental Associates of Connecticut, P.C., Chapin Business Services, PC Mobil – Rocco Arbitell, Store Haus – David Polman, Michael Bowman Photography, Good Hill Mechanical Services, Michael and Veronica Hartnett, Jeremy Greco, Michael McDonald, John L. Hopkins, John Strugar, Claudine and Murray McHugh, Mark and Carolyn Helderman, Chris and Paul Martin, Terri and Fred Clark, and Diane and William Hildreth. 
A spectacular auction event at Annabel’s of Mayfair, London, featuring exclusive works from some of the world’s most celebrated contemporary artists, including David Hockney, Banksy, Peter Doig, Anthony Gormley, Harland Miller, Jake Chapman and many more. Curated by Darren Strowger and Jake Chapman, all funds raised help provide specialist units and care for young people with cancer via Teen Cancer America and Teenage Cancer Trust.
Online bidding for live lots will close at 5pm GMT November 6 and will be enacted at the live auction on November 7.
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TCA Celebrity Ambassador and actor, Wyatt Oleff, (well known for his role as “Stanley” in the hit horror movie “IT”) recently completed a Crowdrise campaign that raised funds for Teen Cancer America. Not only has he been an active ambassador, but Wyatt was also very busy on social media, encouraging people (especially his fans) to rally behind a good cause.
Wyatt’s VIP Experience took place at the HorrorHound Expo in Indianapolis, IN, where thousands of fans gather to meet and take pictures with some of their favorite actors from the horror and sci-fi genre.
The contest winner, Tessa, was very excited to learn she had won a chance to fly out to Indiana and meet Wyatt.
“I stumbled upon the Crowdrise campaign when Teen Cancer America posted Wyatt’s video on their Instagram story. The event was amazing and my friend and I had a ton of fun. Being able to see some of the cast from IT and other horror icons was wonderful.”
The Crowdrise contest lasted three weeks in which Wyatt managed to raise a total of $6,408 for Teen Cancer America.
Thanks to all who donated and participated in the contest. Also, many thanks to the Oleff family for being patrons and supporters of Teen Cancer America.
Teen Cancer America celebrity ambassador Nolan Smith recently wrapped the second annual ‘Hoop-A-Thon’ in Durham at the Cameron Indoor Stadium, home of Duke basketball. Smith, who is the Director of Basketball Operations at Duke, was joined by several members of the current Duke Men’s and Women’s basketball teams as well as friend and former UNC star, Brice Johnson to shoot hoops, raise money and have fun.
Several local volunteers and survivors were also on hand to shoot hoops with the basketball players.
“Last year’s hoop-a-thon was at the Emily K Center which turned out to be an amazing event, so we had to step it up a little bit, so this year we brought it to Cameron Indoor Stadium,” said Smith.
Standout Duke players such as Zion Williamson was able to take a break from the action and share his experience. “I love it. You could feel the love from everybody here. Everybody had a great time!”
The event raised funds through Pledge It, a sports fundraising platform that allows athletes to raise money based on their performance. Overall, Teen Cancer America was able to raise nearly $22,000 from the event. Talks of a third Hoop-A-Thon have already been mentioned by Nolan Smith, who’s excited to see where he can take it next.