Community Corner

"Brand New Day of Hope" Song Debut

Anyone who has ever had a loved one diagnosed with cancer, knows that the trauma often invades the entire family.

This became crystal clear for Alan Grant, a Bridgewater-based singer-songwriter and musician, when his father received a late stage cancer diagnosis two years ago. The medical journey to healing inspired him to put pen to paper and now, Grant is donating his time and talent to raising awareness for the work being done at Somerset Medical Center’s Steeplechase Cancer Center via his original song, “A Brand New Day of Hope,” with all proceeds going directly to benefit the institution’s foundation initiatives.

This effort will be kicked off at a fundraising musical event that is open to the public on Thursday, July 12, at The Stoney Brook Grille in North Branch, from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.

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“When someone you love is touched by cancer, you are suddenly thrown into a whole new and unfamiliar world of medical specialists, tests and jargon," Grant said. “If you have great care and the odds are in your favor, your loved one pulls through, but it takes an entire team to make that happen, both on the homefront and professionally.

“You come to appreciate every moment of life and every day brings new hope," he added. "That’s one of the main things I wanted to get across in the song.”

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The concept is one that Grant brought to the Somerset Medical Foundation two years ago, after serving as musical director for the annual national Day of Hope in Stowe, Vermont, for six years. In June of 2010, The Steeplechase Cancer Center premiered its first “Day of Hope” to inspire and celebrate the lives and resilience of those living with cancer. Several hundred survivors and their families participated in that first day’s workshops, seminars and holistic experiences.

“We are so grateful to Alan for sharing his musical talents to support Somerset Medical Center’s Steeplechase Cancer Center and to offer encouragement to all those coping with a cancer diagnosis,” said Paul Huegel, president of Somerset Medical Center Foundation. “We are excited to partner with him to introduce ‘A Brand New Day of Hope’ to Central New Jerseyans through his live performance on July 12—it is an opportunity not to be missed.”

Donating his musical expertise is not a new concept for Grant, a seasoned songwriter and guitarist and member of the nationally known, New Jersey-based Holiday Express organization of 60 professional singers and musicians. Along with approximately 400 other volunteers who, between Thanksgiving and Christmas, stage more than 50 concerts and holiday parties for children’s hospitals, homeless shelters, hospices and special needs facilities. Grant has opened for a number of national acts and has been a very popular New Jersey staple for the last 15 years.

So when he wrote “A Brand New Day of Hope” and pitched it to some of his musical colleagues—a number of whom play with such icons as Jon Bon Jovi, Bruce Springsteen and Loggins and Messina—he got enthusiastic participation.

“My family’s story is probably very typical of what most families go through when faced with a serious diagnosis,” Grant said. “So just knowing that this project will help support Somerset Medical Center and the many people in the community that rely on them makes me feel good. Having the support of my very talented musical colleagues was the bonus.”

Copies of “A Brand New Day of Hope” will be available for purchase at the event or by calling Somerset Medical Center Foundation at 908-685-2885.


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