IN THE NEWS!

Fighting for her life against breast cancer, Michele Ann dedicates new song 'Stand Up And Fight' to all the women fighting this dreadful disease.

The reason John Rainey and I wrote Stand Up and Fight, is because I am fighting the hardest battle of my life. One day I found myself standing amongst thousands of women dressed in pink, in the bleachers at a women's race when it hit me that all these women went through, or are going through what I did, and I wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy. I sat in the bleachers and cried for them. My son has been to Iraq and I am so proud of him. I am a strong military supporter, I do charity events for them always. Even while I'm fighting breast cancer, I show up. It wasn't easy, but I remember thinking of our troops... doing what they do every day, and decided that I can show up and sing. 

Our troops along with my son have shown me how to Fight. At a recent freedom walk for army vets, I sang amazing grace acapella. After I sang, I asked my son to come up on the stage for a minute. He had told me he wouldn't do it... he couldn't do it because he knew I was going to honor his two friends who didn't come home with him from Iraq. He drew courage, and joined me. I told the story of my son Kevin, a soldier now back from Iraq, and his two fallen friends. So in honor of Tyler and James who did not make it home, and all the fallen, this song is dedicated to them. As soon as I said the first name of my sons deceased friend, he immediately stood at attention... saluting. I thought I'm not going to be able to sing because my heart is in my throat. I composed myself, and did it anyway. I was told later that there wasn't a dry eye in the audience. I wanted the audience to know the sacrifice our troops are making for us every day. Sometimes when people hear a story from a friend of the fallen, it makes it more real for them. (story continues below)

(Michele shares while her son Kevin stands at attention)

I told John Rainey I wanted to write a song that gives women hope because there are times you are so sad, and in so much pain that you think its time to give up. I want all women or just anyone who is fighting a battle to know they are NOT ALONE.  Cancer is the most alone feeling you'll ever feel, no one can share it with you, no one but another cancer patient knows the fears, and the battle with the pain involved. Trying to beat it, and knowing even then there is the possibility of leaving this earth before your time. 

Like most cancer patients, I didn't think about me when I was diagnosed. I thought about my family and my friends. I didn't want to leave them alone. The fact is I was going to a better place but leaving them behind. Stand Up and Fight tells people who don't know its ok to scream and shout, its ok to let it out, no more taking hopes or our dreams. People use to say to me things like "aren't you grateful your alive? why whine about your hair." Well the song tells people yes we are grateful to be alive, of course who wouldn't be? But its ok to be MAD MAD MAD! Breast cancer steals pieces of your life, a little bit at a time, my first hurdle was my hair. I had beautiful show stopper hair down to my waist, thick and beautiful. It took me 10 yrs to get it that long. I was so upset it was the only thing I loved about myself physically. I sobbed like a baby. A friend had to come over and shave my head because I couldn't look, my hair was coming out all over the house... it was a mess. I knew I had to shave it off.

'Stand Up And fight' is a song to help cancer patients stand up and fight when they don't want to anymore. It reminds them that they aren't alone in this! That we are together in the fight against this dreaded disease. "Mother father sister brother" .

I have a saying, "Cancer tried to take my voice... God had a different idea"

- Michele Ann

LISTEN TO 'STAND UP AND FIGHT' HERE!

Rockpink.com has dedicated a page to Michele. Check it out!