The Story Behind The Journey
Our lives were turned upside-down on May 2, 2007 – the day our son Max had a biopsy at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. The results revealed that it was cancer. The very next day was Max’s fourth birthday. Eight days later, he was diagnosed with a rare form of B- Cell Lymphoma in the bone of his right arm. It was every parent’s nightmare come true. Not only was the cancer rare, it had spread. The oncologists were blunt. Without the proper immediate treatment, the consequences would be devastating.
I was never a religious man, but I turned to my faith for comfort while at the same time seeking answers. I started writing songs as a form of prayer and therapy for me during a very difficult time. I never thought these words would become anything other than words to help me and only me, overcome life's obstacles. I was wrong.
A musician friend of the family named Tom Nieman heard the lyrics and wrote the music to my songs. Chills ran down my spine after hearing him bring my words to life.
In June 2008, I went to Nashville to see if anyone would want to attach themselves to my project, a project whose focus is to raise awareness and funds for pediatric cancer research. We were blessed to find Ian Eskelin an award winning inspirational producer who was inspired by the story of Max. I met Ian in June of 2008, and seven months later we had made an album. We hired group of talented and well-known musicians from Nashville to record the record. This is not any ordinary album. This is as real as it gets. These are my words spoken by me every day and night as I searched for triumph. The name of the album is called "The Journey." It is a seventeen song musical that tells our story written by me inspired by my child. I came to a cross roads in my life, wandered down a new path, and found myself a changed man. This change now defines me.
A portion of proceeds from the album will benefit The Max Cure Foundation For Pediatric Cancer Causes, primarily going to The Max Cure Fund at MSKCC to help underwrite the establishment of a research lab at the hospital for pediatric cancers.
If you would like to make a donation please visit MAXCUREFOUNDATION.org. We are dedicated to finding the funds to help in the researching of rare pediatric cancers, improving treatments and finding cures that will save children's lives.
All the Best,
David Plotkin