|
|
October 1, 2004/Tishri 6 5765, Vol. 57, No. 5
New compact disc fights breast cancer
STEPHANIE N. HENSCHEL
Staff Writer
Kenn Harris is working hard for a cause.
That cause is breast cancer.
Harris has jumped into the arena, fighting alongside those who search valiantly for ways to fight the dreaded - and sometimes deadly - disease. In conjunction with the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, which takes place in Phoenix on Oct. 10, Harris has produced a compact disc to benefit the Komen Foundation.
The foundation was established in 1982 in memory of Komen. Since then, the organization has become a world leader in the fight against breast cancer.
Harris' involvement with the organization began about a year ago.
Two members of the local chapter of Komen approached Harris and asked him to create a jingle or a song that could be used for the 2004 Race for the Cure.
"We were trying to think of some sort of gimmick or theme for this year's race," says Christy Rich, co-chairwoman of the Phoenix Race for the Cure and also a breast cancer survivor. "Something to make us different from last year's race."
Harris created a song, "Gonna Run," to run with local advertisements.
Rich and co-chairwoman Joyce Battaglia loved it, and the project evolved from there.
"It was his brainstorm," Rich says. "We came up with some funds for him and worked on the production of it, but this was his project."
Since then, about 50 other musicians have joined Harris on the CD, "The Amada Project." Amada means "loved one" in Spanish.
"The nature of the project has been one to try to create something that's meaningful to those who listen to it," namely survivors, Harris says.
"Each performer has some sort of connection to breast cancer," Rich explains. Rich and Battaglia, also a survivor, sang backup on a couple tracks.
Even his children have gotten involved. His daughter Anna, a senior at the Jess Schwartz Jewish Community High School, is a Komen representative at her school and also sings harmony vocals on "The Water is Wide." His son Jacob, who works in New York with Change Records, served as an advisor on the CD.
The CD, produced by Harris'"very small" recording label, The Clarence and Blue Recording Company, Arizona, U.S.A., features an "interesting" collection of music, from rock 'n' roll to folk to classical, and everything in between.
And purchasing the CD will fulfill the mitzvah of tzedakah.
"Fifty to 90 percent of the album's proceeds of the initial run will benefit the foundation," he says.
All 1,800 survivors participating in the event will receive a free copy of the disc.
Harris has also experienced the loss of someone to the dreaded disease.
"Part of my involvement in the project is dedicated to the memory of a dear friend, Idka Morin," he says. Harris met Morin in 1968 at the University of Arizona. She lost her battle in 2003 on Mother's Day.
This year, about 40,000 women are expected to die of breast cancer. About 450 men will also die of the disease.
Ashkenazic Jewish women are at a somewhat greater risk for breast cancer. Two mutated genes have been identified in Ashkenazic women as key elements in the development of breast cancer.
"The Amada Project" will be available in early October. It will be available as several Web sites. Visit www.kennharris.com for more details.
Contact the writer here
|
|
