By paNOW

Musicians band together to support friend after cancer diagnosis

Feb 15, 2018 | 3:00 PM

Musicians from around the province are hosting a benefit event to support one of their friends battling cancer

Danny Mirasty, who’s currently residing in Prince Albert, reached out to his bandmates and musical network to help raise funds for Lori Morin-Wuttunee, from the Red Pheasant First Nation. Morin-Wuttunee is battling cancer, and has to commute roughly 150 kilometers to Saskatoon for her treatment.

“When one of our musical brothers or sisters is down and out we all have to come together and support one another,” Mirasty said. “Music brings us together and we always unite through music, and all of our musician friends are going to be there for Lori.”

The benefit, called MUSIC of HOPE, will be hosted at O’Brian’s Event Centre in Saskatoon Feb. 16. Festivities are running between 8 p.m. and 2 a.m., and the event is open to all ages event, but those under 18 years old must be accompanied by an adult.

Mirasty said a portion of ticket sales will be donated to Morin-Wuttunee to cover her travel and lodging expenses while she’s in Saskatoon. Some musicians have agreed to perform at a discounted rate, he said, and others will pay their own travel costs in order to make the concert a reality.

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This isn’t Mirasty’s first time organizing events for Indigenous people suffering from cancer. He organized a benefit event in Meadow Lake for the late Lori Church, who he called a trailblazer for Indigenous women in the music industry. He said that event raised $7,000 for Church and her family.

Mirasty said he hopes to garner the same kind of support at MUSIC of HOPE, not just for Morin-Wuttunee, but for everyone who has been affected by cancer.

“We’re inviting everybody, everybody that was affected by cancer in any way, any form. If they want to come honour their own, we advise them to wear their pictures on their t-shirts, bring their pictures,” Mirasty said.

Bryan.Eneas@jpbg.ca

On twitter: @BryanEneas