Designer’s Call for Cancer Screening Resonates With 111 Recording Artists

When Kevin Thorne decided to tell others how early screening had helped him to escape death from prostate cancer, he didn’t realize that his message would resonate so strongly with 111 Canadian and international recording artists.

The graphic designer and musician learned first hand of the importance of early detection in the successful treatment of prostate cancer. Thorne credits his wife, Beth Ray, for pushing him to take a routine, self-administered PSA test in 2010, which resulted in the early diagnosis of his condition and cure through a radical prostatectomy.

“At the time, I was feeling fine and really had no reason to take the prostate cancer screening test, even though it was a very simple procedure,” said Thorne. “My treatment specialist, Dr. Alviro Ramirez, told Beth that having me tested early literally saved my life and contributed to my complete recovery.”

Realizing how others could very easily ignore regular screening, Thorne decided to combine his love of music with his design talents and invite some GTA-based friends in the Canadian recording industry to help him create a musical e-album. He would use the compilation of donated tunes to remind men over the age of 40, even if through their partners, to take the annual PSA test.

“Amazing,” is how Thorne describes the responses he received from 111 Canadian and international recording artists. They offered to donate more than 120 of their songs to his e-album. “The project accumulated over eight hours of incredible music, including new and just-released tracks.”

Not surprising, “Amazing” is also the title that Thorne gave to the compilation e-album, which has just been recently released on CDBaby for $10 (and through AMAZING’s facebook page) as well as Apple’s popular Internet store, iTunes.

The eclectic collection of musicians contributing to Thorne’s prostate cancer screening awareness project could easily be recognized as a comprehensive list of renowned and rising artists.

The e-album includes tracks from Bob Egan of Blue Rodeo fame, celebrated Phantom of the Opera lead Colm Wilkinson, platinum recording artist Dan Hill, International Piano Artist Sunny Choi, Cape Breton fiddle sensation Natalie McMaster and acclaimed Canadian blues artist Rita Chiarelli. Thorne said that the songs selected include pop, progressive, rock, easy listening, blues, folk and country cuts, appealing to a wide range of musical tastes.

Sunny Choi, who was recently listed among the top “Next Big Sound” artists by Billboard Magazine, made a special guest appearance at the November 1 official launch party for the e-album, held at Bluewater Health, in Sarnia, ON.

The story of Thorne’s prostate cancer screening campaign and his Amazing music project is presented on his web site. His progress and related events can also be followed on Facebook and Twitter.

True to his original intent, Thorne has made arrangements for the proceeds from all sales of Amazing to be shared by the Canadian Cancer Society for prostate cancer research and awareness; and the Bluewater Health Cancer Care Assessment and Treatment Centre, to assist with their promotion of prostate cancer screening. Members of both organizations are on the AMAZING committee with Thorne and Ray.

Submitted by Anonymous

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