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Inspirational song leads cancer survivors | TribLIVE.com
News

Inspirational song leads cancer survivors

Rachel Basinger
Rachel Basinger | Monday, July 28, 2008 12:00 a.m

Gary Pratt of Greensburg hasn’t experienced the loss of a loved one to cancer, but he believes God put the words of a song about cancer survivors and the Relay for Life in his heart.

The local country music performer was approached about five months ago by friends Sherry Downes and Wendy Truswell about writing a song to go along with a Relay for Life photo/video they were putting together.

“The song was to go with the video that they were putting together as one of their projects to raise money for the Relay for Life,” he said. “When they asked, I thought it would be a real challenge, but the next day, I woke up with the song in my head.”

The lyrics to the song say it all: “It’s cloudy outside the window, rain fallin’ as I lay here in this bed. It’s been a year today since I heard the doctors say it’s gonna be a fight for you to live.

“And I want to run. I want to walk in the sun. I want to live. I want to love everyone. I believe in miracles and the hope for the cure. In the darkness I know that there’s light through the Relay for Life.

“A day for a celebration, together as you walk another round, I’ll get on my knees and pray. I won’t give up on faith. I’m thankful to still be around.

If you only know how much it means to me, to know you’re out there fighting to beat this thing.”

Pratt recorded the song at Soundscapes Studio in Pittsburgh. Downes and Truswell sold the song as a benefit for the relay.

Pratt also made CDs of the single and sold them for $5 each. All proceeds went to the American Cancer Society.

He performed the song for the first time at the Relay for Life event in Norwin.

“Everyone gets really quiet when I do the song,” he said. “At Norwin people were just bawling when I sang it.”

Pratt added that people will come up and ask him if he has experienced someone who died from cancer for the song’s inspiration.

“That’s not the case,” he said. “I woke up and God just put it there.”

So far the song has been played on a few AM radio stations, and the American Cancer Society may make it the theme song for all Relay for Life events.

“I’m really not surprised that they’re considering it,” Pratt said. “I’m excited, and I hope it will continue to grow in popularity. It’s a song about hope and a song about thanking those who give of their time and money at the event.”

Anyone who would like to buy a CD of the song can call Pratt at 724-972-3351 or 724-834-7499.

The CDs will also be for sale at his November concert at the Greensburg Garden Civic Center.

For more information about Pratt or the concert, visit the Website at www.garyprattmusic.webs.com.

Categories: News
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