Choir fights cancer with music

The ROCcK choir will sing at the Scrappers game Tuesday.
By ZACH STIPE
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Back in 2002, Brenda Rider found herself so worn-out from breast cancer treatments that the Mahoning Valley resident said she felt "grounded."
Music was her salvation.
"I pulled my guitar out from the closet," Rider said, "[and] started writing songs for kids to perform."
Four years later, Rider's songs are being performed all over Ohio to raise money for cancer research by a 22-member kids choir called Raising Our Commitments to Cancer Kids.
On Tuesday, the ROCcK children's choir will be performing the "Star-Spangled Banner" before the start of the Mahoning Valley Scrappers game against the Hudson Valley Renegades at Eastwood Field. The game begins at 7:05 p.m.
Rider expects the group to perform songs in the stadium's corridor as well, including a recent song she wrote called "ROCcKin' Rap."
"We are a group of kids, survivors and friends," raps Rider. "Brought together by cancer, ready to bring it again."
After pulling out her guitar and writing the songs, Rider formed the ROCcK choir with children affected by the disease. Later, the choir recorded the songs in a studio.
"I just love hearing kids sing," said Rider.
The songs
The Valley-based choir currently has seven original songs in its repertoire and travels around the state raising money for cancer research and Rider's A Way With Words Foundation Inc.
The choir, composed of kids ages 4 to 16, has performed at Wigs For Kids at the Cleveland Zoo, Sharon Speedway and numerous Relay for Life events already this year.
Kristina Shizely, is the choir's oldest member. She says that the songs carry a simple, positive message. "Our songs show that there is life after cancer treatment," she said.
The A Way With Words Foundation has published two books with writings and artwork submitted by those touched by cancer.
"There's Hope in What We Do" and "The Gift of Giving: It's Not a Gift Till You Give it Away" can be found at Border's Books & amp; Music in Niles.
More information on the foundation can be found at http://www.awaywithwordsfoundation.com/.