2011 was a very exciting year for VOH. Please watch the video to see how much fun we had WHILE at the same time raising $70,000 for cancer research!!! Come join the family.
Voices of Hope was conceived by a local performer Greg Chastain, who lost his mother in 2009 after a long battle with pancreatic cancer, Voices Of Hope (VOH) is an organization of more than 100 local performers who donate their time and talent to raise awareness and funds for cancer research. With music as their voice, these inspirational performers, whose lives have all been affected in some way by cancer, share stories of hope, loss, and courage through, song, dance, and testimonials, allowing for an intimate and inspiring look at our collective fight against cancer.
"We are ordinary people on an extraordinary mission" says founder Greg Chastain; "to find a cure for cancer!" To that end, VOH dedicates it performances and additional fundraising efforts to this life changing cause. "As long as there is research to be done, our VOICES of HOPE will continue to sing out for a cure!"
My Story
I am Greg Chastain, founder of the Voices of Hope (VOH). Voices of Hope was created to turn my sorrow about the loss of my mother to cancer into something meaningful and productive. Mom loved the theater and was an avid supporter of my performances. In 2009, after I had been cast in a local production of Aida, we learned that her battle against pancreatic cancer was nearly over. We had hoped that she’d be able to see me on stage one more time, but sadly, she passed away a week before the show was to open. With a heavy heart I left the show to honor the amazing woman who had wholeheartedly supported my efforts, and had been my biggest fan all my life.
But my cast-mates refused to let me grieve alone and I would come to know the love and support of the theater community as one of the greatest healers of pain. With their encouragement, I returned to perform in the production, feeling some comfort in knowing my mom was smiling from above. The focus on performing, as well as the outpouring of support from the cast and production team brought me great comfort as I spent my down time in the green room with people who reached out to offer support through the sharing of their own stories.
As I listened to my cast mates speak of their own experiences with cancer, I become aware that nearly every one of us had a had a story to tell. I became keenly aware of just how many people I knew whose lives had been effected by cancer. As the show came to a close, I knew I had to do something to help, not only myself, but so many others I care for. It was then and there that the idea of calling upon the performance community to use our talent to raise funds for cancer research was born.
I asked a small group of my closest friends/performers, most who had a very personal experiences with cancer, to help me put together a little show as a fundraiser for cancer. They responded with an energy and commitment beyond my greatest expectation, and our first efforts (2009) in a small theater in Winchester, Massachusetts, we were able to donate $17,000 to cancer research.
Since then, VOH has grown from our “little show” into a nationally recognized Non-Profit Organization with a Board that is fully engaged in a number of awareness and fund raising activities to support our mission. We have over 100 performers and others who support us behind the scenes to help spread the word about our efforts and the work of those whom our dollars support.
I know my mom will be smiling down on me as always, as we all come together to sing out for a cure for cancer!
