Philadelphia (November 30, 2011) – On Thursday, December 1, 2011, Fox Chase Cancer Center will host singer, songwriter, and cancer survivor Charlie Lustman. The inspirational “minstrel of hope” will stroll through the halls of the hospital singing upbeat songs to cancer patients and their family and friends from 12:00 noon until 3:00 p.m., with a special performance in the Fox Chase cafeteria (333 Cottman Avenue, Philadelphia) at 3:30 p.m., as part of his “Musical HOPE Campaign.”
In 2005, Lustman was diagnosed with a rare form of osteosarcoma of the upper maxillary (jaw bone). According to the American Cancer Society there are about 800 new cases of osteosarcoma diagnosed in the United States each year, approximately 400 of these are in children and teens, making it a relatively rare form of cancer in adults. The survival rate after five years is about 70 percent, but for certain forms of osteosarcoma—like the type Lustman had—the rate can be much lower. Luckily, after two surgeries and a year of treatment he was declared cancer free.
During these surgeries, doctors removed three-quarters of Lustman’s upper jaw. He was able to be fitted for a prosthetic jaw, which he currently wears, but did have to learn how to talk, eat, and, of course, sing again with his new jaw.
Inspired by his cancer experience, Lustman—who was a singer and jingle writer before his cancer diagnosis—now spends his time strolling through the halls of cancer centers around the world with his guitar and spreading his message of musical hope to others affected by the disease.
During his visit to Fox Chase, Lustman will not only get to meet current patients and their family and friends, but also another young osteosarcoma survivor like himself—Patricia Cantwell. Patricia, a Fox Chase survivor, will be sharing her story and introducing Lustman to the Fox Chase community during the special performance at 3:30 p.m.
For more information about Charlie Lustman’s visit to Fox Chase, go to Events.