Today I am featuring www.TheCMF.org. What could be more important than healing sick kids? We are a musical family – thank heavens we have not suffered from the illness of children – which is a pain like no other for a parent. My father and all his sisters and mother were all pianists, singers, violinists and avid classical music fans. My love of music is clear here on this site. Our grandson Jack is beginning to learn piano. 
So this charity is near and dear to my heart and I hope you will support it too.
Here is the story:
Children’s Music Fund (CMF) is a Los Angeles based 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to provide musical instruments and music therapy to children, adolescents, and young adults with chronic conditions and life-altering illnesses, and to support research on the effects of music therapy.
CMF brings the healing power of music to children with serious medical conditions or profound developmental disabilities such as cancer or cerebral palsy. CMF matches clients with highly skilled, board-certified music therapists based on the needs and interests of the child and qualifications and experience of the therapist. CMF also facilitates large-group outreach events at local children’s hospitals to provide young patients with opportunities to hear live music and to participate in interactive music-making activities.
CMF was founded in 2002 by Dr. Raffi Tachdjian, an allergist and pediatric pain specialist, while he was an intern at Massachusetts General Hospital. Dr Tachdjian was inspired by his teenage patient, Justin, a virtuoso guitarist who had won several awards for his performances. Justin had failed multiple experimental protocols for treatment of his bone cancer. Finding him expressionless, Dr. Tachdjian gave up on his notepad to focus on the one thing that seemed to excite his patient – MUSIC! Dr. Tachdjian set out to find a guitar for his patient, but, to his dismay, discovered that there were no instruments in the hospital for patients such as Justin to enjoy. He was, therefore, determined to raise funds to purchase musical instruments and later to provide music therapy for patients like Justin, one at a time.
Since 2002, CMF has provided hundreds of musical instruments and thousands of hours of music therapy to eligible children. We rely heavily on volunteer support in addition to donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations to continue our important work.
Read what one family said about their son in the picture below: “Our family loves this program. It was very beneficial for our son to have someone come in and play music for him when he was in the PICU and then as his health improved to interact and learn a new instrument is a great opportunity. As he is awaiting a transplant, it gives him something fun and productive to do. Also, this program meets the needs of teenagers. Many of the opportunities offered in the hospital are for younger children – especially nice to have something that appeals to teens. Thank you!”
Here are some ways that others have helped.
CMF donated a heap of new instruments to White Memorial Medical Center (WMMC) just in time for the holidays at their annual Cleft Palate Program Holiday Party. The hospital will use these keyboards, guitars, drums and other percussion-type instruments to start their first pediatric music program. Board member Talin Babikian surprised the hospital with an announcement that CMF will also provide groups of pediatric patients at WMMC with music therapy in 2012. The hospital presented CMF with an official Certificate of Appreciation and an adorable plaque featuring the artwork of a young patient.
To support this worthy cause, go to www.TheCMF.org. specifically – http://thecmf.org/?page_id=73
