REDEMPTION SONGS

Music may not always be the cure for what ails you, but its healing powers are undeniable. Alissa Pollack and friends are putting those powers into practice.

Yesterday (6/16) saw the launch of The Musicians on Call Jason Pollack Bedside Performance Program at City of Hope, a program designed to bring live music performances to the bedsides of patients fighting cancer, HIV/AIDS, diabetes and other diseases at the Los Angeles treatment and research center.

Founded by Premiere Networks’ Pollack, a longtime advocate for cancer research and care via the industry-centered Taste of Hope City of Hope (COH) event—which helped raise funds for the MOC program—the new initiative was named for her father, who passed away from cancer last year. Singer/songwriter Gavin DeGraw surprised patients by delivering an impromptu performance.

During the event launch at COH, Pollack paid tribute to her dad. "It is truly a dream to be able to start a fund in my father’s name with Musicians on Call and City of Hope," she said. "He always encouraged my work with both charities and I know he would be so proud to be the inspiration for this. Knowing that patients will be able to benefit from my father’s program is an incredible feeling."

MOC President Pete Griffin called the organization "incredibly fortunate" to have Pollack as a board member and advocate. "To be able to work with Alissa" to launch the program, he said, "is an honor for our organization and a fitting way to honor Alissa’s father, who had such a love for music and people."

Among those in attendance were COH CEO/President Robert Stone, DJ Skee, promo legend Richard Palmese, and Pollack’s husband, Robert Kennedy.

DeGraw performed the song "Chariot" for patients at COH Helford Clinical Research Hospital. The troubadour has been involved with MOC for several years.

Among the artists scheduled to perform on Friday afternoons as part of the program are A Great Big World, Ingrid Michaelson, R5, Ryan Cabrera, Bean, Oh Honey and Straight No Chaser.

A range of clinical evidence has demonstrated the positive, soothing effects of music on patients’ conditions. But for anyone who’s had a lousy day redeemed by a song knows exactly what music can do.