50 Concerts in 50 States project to benefit The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society kicks off in Chicago

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) September 27, 2009 -- CHICAGO (Sept. 27, 2009) – A Boston-based cellist is launching an ambitious cross-country project to fight cancer by raising funds and awareness state by state.

Cellist Liam Abramson will kick off his project, 50 Concerts in 50 States (www.findacurenow.com), on Oct. 19 in Chicago as a part of the free Classical Mondays music series at the Chicago Cultural Center. All the money raised during the 24-month project will benefit The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS), with donations in each state going to its local chapter; and to fund the project with the ultimate goal of donating a cumulative $50,000 or more to LLS.

Abramson, who trained at the Royal College of Music in London and is the recipient of numerous scholarships and awards, has devoted his efforts to raising money for cancer research since losing his best friend to the disease in 2003.

“I’m one of those people who sets the bar high,” Abramson said. “After my first hiking adventures through Team In Training to raise money for LLS, I became a hike mentor and hike leader, helping others meet their fundraising goals. The one piece of advice I consistently give out is ‘raise money by doing something you know how to do.’

“That’s what I’m doing with this project. I wanted to find a way to not only raise more money, but to raise awareness about blood cancers as well. I have found that music is a very powerful way to bring people together. These concerts are designed to bring communities together not only for the love of music, but also for the mission of funding cancer research. I want people to feel they have to be involved in this fight.”

Leukemia is one of the most survivable cancers, yet the disease causes more deaths than any other cancer among children and young adults under age 20. Most cases, however, occur in older adults; the median patient age at diagnosis being 66 years. There is no known cause.

Abramson will perform J.S Bach’s Suites for Unaccompanied Cello, but every concert will be geared toward the presenter and the local audience. The Chicago concert takes place at 12:15 p.m. on Oct. 19 at the Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington St. Concerts are currently scheduled for Ann Arbor, Mich.; Boston, Mass.; Boulder, Colo.; Logan, Utah and Searcy, Ark.

To learn more about Liam and to get your state on the map, go to www.findacurenow.com.

50 Concerts in 50 States     cancer     Chicago     classical music     concert     Liam Abramson