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This is the story of “Remission” (The Survivor’s Anthem!), a song I wrote and recorded for cancer survivors all over the world. To some, this is just a song, and hopefully a song with a nice melody:); but to me, it’s a story and so much more! I wrote this song after taking a break from my “Hear the Heart” tour in the summer of 2010. If you are not familiar with my “Hear the Heart” tour, it’s a tour that is/was sponsored by the makers of a video game for young people with cancer. A tour that allowed me to travel, perform my music, and share my story of being a life-long, 4-time cancer survivor with other people affected by cancer. It was truly one of the best times of my life; a time to connect, give back, inspire and foster hope in the lives of many people! While on my tour, I met so many people affected by cancer. Often times, we just think about the patient(s) going through treatment or the survivor, but I met caretakers, doctors, nurses and families of patients. All of these people are not only affected by cancer, but are a major part in the battle of cancer. While meeting everyone during my tour, I was immediately reminded of all the great people who had been with me while growing up and going through cancer treatment. From the days of staying at the Ronald McDonald House as a kid, to the days of staying at the Winn-Dixie Hope Lodge at the age of 21 and going through my bone-marrow transplant. People like Miss Sydney, the nurse at the Emory Pediatric Clinic who pushed a cart with treats and toys for kids, or shared a funny story with you while you received your treatment. Every kid was always excited to see Miss Sydney headed his/her way. Then there was CJ, the 6-foot-something nurse who could, at first glance, be a bit intimidating as he towered above us little people with thinning hair or bald heads. But, he was nothing more than a gentle giant—always ready to act like a total nut to get you to smile on your bad days. And more recently (June, 2010), I remember my nurse Gale from Emory who sat front row at the kick off of my “Hear the Heart” tour at Emory’s Celebration of Living where I was the keynote speaker and performer. While I was in the hospital, Gale would often check on me on her days off and always give me a hard time to keep things light-hearted and cheerful in what would seem to most people to be the worst of times—but it wasn’t. Everyone who has been impacted by cancer shares a bond that, well, only a person who has been impacted by cancer can understand. We came together, made the best times out of the worst times, supported each other, laughed, cried and smiled while always knowing what was at stake. That’s what survivors do! In July 2010, shortly after returning home from my tour to take a break, I sat down and wrote the song, “Remission” (The Survivor’s Anthem!) I wanted to write a song that just spelled out the journey of cancer from start to finish; a song that every cancer survivor could relate to. Unlike other songs, this song just came to me so easily. The opening verse, “Remember the time, when you got the news, what were you feeling, with so much to lose…” is a line that I think every person ever diagnosed with cancer can relate to. Every person who has ever been diagnosed with cancer vividly remembers the day they were diagnosed, the emotions they felt and what was at stake. The song goes on to talk about the people you meet along the way, “Remember those people, became a part of your life, some came and went, and some are still by your side…” For me, one such person was Sam, my best friend during my transplant, and a great friend until the day he died. A man that later became the “star” of my book, “You’ll Be All Right, Buddy!”, a book for children fighting cancer (published in 1999 by Blue Cross and Blue Shield). Now, on the outside, Sam and I weren’t exactly two people you’d say fit together well, but we did. He was in his late 50’s, and I was 21. Sam was a smoker; I hated the thought of cigarettes. He was also married, a concept I wouldn’t even consider at the time! Somehow however, we grew to be great friends, and, as Sam put it, we were, “twins separated at birth!” We’d have long talks about everything; things as complex as this crazy world, to things as simple as pretty girls and baseball cards. Sam was a good man! I had a few scary bouts while undergoing my transplant, an infection that temporarily paralyzed parts of my body and an episode of anaphylactic shock after an allergic reaction to platelets. But, I can remember Sam being the first person to come check on me. The somewhat rough- around-the-edges and most kind-hearted person you could ever meet showed up at my door to make some tongue and cheek remark and lessen the impact of what was obviously a serious situation. Other lines in the song “Remission” (The Survivor’s Anthem!) go on to talk about “healing”, “repairing” and “breathing again,” all words and phrases associated with new life…and all these things come together in the chorus, “So this is remission, with all of its hope, feels like your dreamin’, it’s like coming home. And this is remission; it’s shining within, another season, so let’s begin again.” “Remission” (The Survivor’s Anthem!) is just that—an anthem! It is an anthem that brings all survivors from around the world together. A song that puts everyone affected by cancer on common ground! This is remission! Ryan Hamner is a singer/songwriter and a 4-time survivor of cancer. Ryan heads up the "Hear the Heart" tour. A tour in which Ryan speaks, performs and shares his story with other survivors and those affected by cancer. Check out his website today to learn more about him, his tour and his new song for survivors that is about to be released!
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