In the summer of 1998, Ralph was diagnosed with colon cancer. Surgery was performed and Ralph ended up with a colostomy bag and the news that his cancer had spread to his liver and lungs. After he recovered from his surgery he started chemo therapy at the Kentuckiana Cancer Institute in Louisville, Kentucky. Ralph would take his lap top computer with him and work on grants he was writing as he was injected with his brand of "poison", but after a few treatments he became weary and frustrated...not only was the chemo making him ill, he had to work at the same time. He asked his doctor, Renato LaRocca, if he would mind if he brought his guitar to the clinic and play while he was getting chemo and the good doc said it would be great as long as no one complained. Not only were there no complaints, everyone loved it...including the docs and nurses.
Ralph then asked Dave and Joe if they would come down to the clinic on Thursdays and jam to help him pass the time away. They started going there every Thursday morning and jamming for two or three hours. An incredible change came over the place. All are still in awe of it. The doc said that their presense changed the entire atmosphere of the clinic from one of "gloom and doom" to one of hope and joy. Edith Stein was the next musician invited to join the lounge and she soon became a founding member of the "Chemo Lounge". As time went by they kept asking more of their friends to come down and jam, and at times there were as many musicians in the clinic as there were patients. The doc said the only problem they had with it all was that most of the patients wanted to schedule their chemo on Thursdays!
Thus, the "Chemo Lounge" was born. It is a "God thing" for sure. The three men claim they don't have a whole brain between them. What started out as having fun turned into a part of the healing process...an incredible miracle to witness. The doc was so taken by it that he said the music needed to be recorded and distributed. Doctor LaRocca has financed their third (two other projects were done under the name "Zen Penguin") recording project, which is a CD titled "Flock of Penguins, Live at the Chemo Lounge". All proceeds from the sale of this CD will go to indigent cancer care and cancer research, via the Kentucky Cancer Research Foundation. A link to info regarding the Foundation can be found on the CD order page.
No one on this planet, and especially no one living in this great nation of ours, should have to suffer because of their inability to pay for medical treatment. Please find it in your heart to click on the link below and order a copy of this moving and heart rendering musical work. Your effort could literally save a life. God bless you and yours. May you live and love in God's light and be happy, joyous and free! |
