Coming to Terms With Lung Cancer: Singing the Blues on Stage

In 2004 doctors told legendary singer Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown that he had lung cancer but instead of getting blue, he went on stage and happily sang the blues. At that moment, the 80-year-old refused treatment and said "no one's gonna cut me open" and preferred to spend his days doing what he had always done - living his life.

Well not everyone has the attitude to do the same. Facing cancer is one of the most difficult challenges a person can experience. There is no right or wrong way to feel about your diagnosis. What matters is being able to cope so that you are able to experience the good parts of each day along with the difficult parts that lung cancer will place in your every day life.
Coping is widely defined as one's way of handling difficult situations. Although the definition is broad, a person's individual strategies are quite precise. There is no right way to cope with the diagnosis of lung cancer. People handle cancer in different ways, just as people cope with any life problem in a different way.

The first reaction many people have after being diagnosed with lung cancer is shock. The feeling of numbness may be particularly distressing but it is quite normal. It is your mind's way of keeping you from being overwhelmed. Your thinking may seem disorganized at first, as your mind is likely to be filled with questions and concerns.

Through her bravery, fortitude, determination, and tenacity, Liz Martocci works on a daily basis to free her body of cancerous cells in order to live a long, happy, and fruitful life with her family and friends. Please come have the blues with us in support of the Liz Martocci Lung Cancer Foundation which will be holding its first Fundraising Concert at the Rhythm Room on Wednesday September 24. The doors open at 7p.m. with a minimum donation of $5 or more is appreciated. For more information on the foundation visit http://www.lizmartoccilungcancerfoundation.org/


The Rhythm Room "Phoenix's Roots and Blues Concert Club" is located at 1019 E. Indian School Road Phoenix, Arizona 85014.

The benefit show for Liz Martocci, cancer survivor, will include a huge list of blues bands including: BLIND RONNIE'S HOUSE OF BLUES, BLUZONE, UVON, GARY JORDAN, KRIMSON CHORD, THE FLAMEKEEPERS and more.

The Liz Martocci Lung Cancer Foundation began on July 9, 2008 with one purpose in mind to help those faced with this horrible disease, living without insurance, find and receive the medical treatment they so deserve. Often the middle class hard working are often the ones that can not get the help and support needed during such a tough time. The Liz Martocci Lung Cancer Foundation is here to help those faced with the challenges of the "system" while offering support, resources and compassion.