Columbus North High School in Columbus, Ind., will host the 2014 Courage to Climb concert on Saturday, Aug. 16, at 7:00 pm in Erne Auditorium. The annual concert honors Columbus North choir director and cancer survivor Janie Gordon.

“More than 40 community members will share their talents and their stories of personal experiences with cancer,” said student coordinator Meredith Hardy. “Since 2009, this concert has inspired the community, given hope and encouragement to those fighting cancer, and sent an inspirational message to performers and audience members alike.”

Tickets are $10 at the door, and all proceeds benefit Hoosier Cancer Research Network. Columbus North High School is located at 1400 25th St. in Columbus, Ind. (Get directions.)

Columbus North High School will also accept donations by mail. Click here to download the donation form.

Diagnosed with breast cancer in 2009, Gordon broke the news to her students during rehearsal for their summer musical production. Despite their shock, three students decided to do something to help. The students secretly planned a benefit concert in honor of Gordon and named the event “Courage to Climb,” based on a motto that Gordon had adopted for her battle against cancer.

“The next thing I know, there was an article on the front page of the paper, ‘Concert to benefit cancer victim Janie Gordon,’” she said.

Gordon recalls all the work the students gave to planning and producing the event. “When I walked into the theatre, the whole place was pink — pink balloons and pink cupcakes the parents had made,” she said. “They put on an amazing show, with songs they knew I loved. I was so blessed, and it helped me heal.”

[Photo: Janie Gordon, pictured with Emma Terry, student coordinator of the 2013 Courage to Climb concert.]

Gordon quickly became known throughout the community as an advocate for cancer research, and her relationship with Hoosier Cancer Research Network began soon after, when her students performed during HCRN’s 25th Anniversary gala.

In its first year, Courage to Climb supported only breast cancer research. But Gordon knew the great need for funding in so many cancer types.

“There is so much awareness for breast cancer, but so many people are suffering from cancers that aren’t touched,” Gordon said. “So when the opportunity came to perform at the 25th Anniversary Gala, I felt like this was what we needed to put our money toward.”

Since then, Gordon has directed Courage to Climb proceeds to Hoosier Cancer
Research Network. In 2011, Courage to Climb raised more than $5,000 for research, and HCRN has continued to benefit from generous contributions from Courage to Climb events.

Hoosier Cancer Research Network honored Gordon for her commitment by presenting her with the 2010 Terry Hoeppner Patient Advocacy Award.

Student Impact

Emma Terry, Courage to Climb’s 2013 student coordinator, had been a performer in the 2012 concert. When the time came to choose what she would do for her senior project — all Columbus North seniors are required to complete a project that benefits the community — it was an easy decision to coordinate the 2013 concert.

The concert included performances and stories by individuals who have been personally affected by cancer.

“That was a very important aspect to the show, where each person had a story,” Terry said. “I was so grateful to be part of an event that meant so much to so many people.”

A Life-Changing Experience

For all the pain and heartache cancer has brought to her life, Gordon is thankful for who she has become through the experience. “Sometimes I say it changed my life for the better,” said Gordon. “It helped me prioritize and realize I shouldn’t sweat the small stuff, and I think every cancer survivor feels that way.”

To support the concert with a donation, please click here.

Hoosier Cancer Research Network (formerly known as Hoosier Oncology Group) conducts innovative cancer research in collaboration with academic and community physicians and scientists across the United States. The organization provides comprehensive clinical trial management and support, from conception through publication. Created in 1984 as a program of the Walther Cancer Institute, Hoosier Cancer Research Network became an independent nonprofit clinical research organization in 2007. Since its founding, Hoosier Cancer Research Network has initiated more than 150 trials in a variety of cancer types and supportive care, resulting in more than 300 publications. More than 4,400 patients have participated in Hoosier Cancer Research Network clinical trials.