CCFK Music Therapy Volunteer Brooke Williams with two CCFK Jam Band performers before they take the stage.

The curtain went up on the Seventh Annual “Rock2Beat Pediatric Cancer” event at the Inn at New Hyde Park in November, raising more than $32,000 to benefit the Cancer Center for Kids (CCFK) at Winthrop.

Under the direction of Music Therapist Glenn Schifano, pediatric cancer and hema- tology patients gave a rousing musical performance that included hits like Michael Jackson’s “Heal the World” and Rachel Platten’s “Fight Song.” “Fight Song,” in particular, has lyrics that make the song a favorite among CCFK patients: “This is my fight song, take back my life song.”

“Medicine and music are healing to our Center’s world,” said Mr. Schifano. “Encouraging children to express their fears and concerns through the universal language of music is what we do best.”

Ashley Carlo, Manager of the CCFK, welcomed guests to the event before Mark Weinblatt, MD, Chief of Pediatric Hemato- logy/Oncology and Director of the CCFK, thanked event sponsors and participants for their generosity. Like all the CCFK’s psy- chosocial programs, the Creative Arts Therapy Program is provided free of charge and sustained by voluntary philanthropic support. It is an integral part of the delivery of care that makes the Center a unique place of healing.