Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center's & Gilda's Club Nashville: Songs from the Heart

Abstract

Songs from the Heart is an annual palliative care and outreach/support project done in partnership with the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center Henry Joyce Cancer Clinic and Gilda's Club Nashville. It is a two-evening songwriters' workshop and concert that gives cancer survivors, family members and healthcare professionals the opportunity to tell their story about cancer through the art of music in a safe therapeutic environment, It is a unique project through the art of music helping others of all ages and from all walks of life find healing and hope; as well as an opportunity to give back to others. A professional singer/songwriter and a social worker co-facilitate the two-evening songwriters workshop. Two musicians perform songs the workshop songwriters have written at a community wide concert. Those who have participated in Songs from the Heart have communicated through the workshop evaluations that this experience has been life changing and a unique opportunity in being able to: explore and express their deep felt emotional feelings and thoughts; release their creative juices; ability to be alone with the group, yet feel included as a whole; express their journey through music; and benefit from being involved with others affected by cancer who have had similar difficulties. Others who have attended the concert or listened to the CD have expressed the significant impact these songs have had on their lives and their journey with cancer.