Thursday, May 26, 2011

Heaven's chorus.

Amidst all of the incredible developments we were witnessing last week in New Orleans, we also received news that stopped us in our tracks.

The very first major fundraiser that the Kyrie Foundation hosted was a thrilling union of time and talents. One of those incredible talents being from a homegrown singer-songwriter Kurt Layton and his fellow bandmates, Against the Grain. One of our founding board members, Trish, pulled on the heartstring of her cousin Kurt and voila! We had bona fide entertainment!

And they were amazing.



We were so humbled that this professional Nashville-wrangling group was rockin' it out for the babies.

Soon after that show, we learned that Kurt had been diagnosed with ALS, progressive neurodegenerative disease that attacks nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. I lost my breath. Kyrie's brain and spinal cord were seized by cancer, and now Kurt's same system was vulnerable to yet another enemy.

You could cry out precisely the same questions that have no answers. It's not fair. His family. His gift of song. God, why?!?

So as we were sharing historic developments with researchers last week, a moment to which Kurt and his band helped us achieve, we learned that he was called to his heavenly home.

I'm hoping that you'll join us as our hearts, our prayers, our tears go out to his family, his wife, his children, his friends. Until we meet again, we will forever treasure your generous gift of song and what you have helped us create for families everywhere. Thank you so much.

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