Medical Center a Finalist for LIVESTRONG Music Therapy Project

Medical Center a Finalist for LIVESTRONG^® Music Therapy Project

Community Votes Needed In Order to Secure Grant 

MACON, GA (Monday, April 7, 2014) – The Medical Center of Central Georgia (MCCG) has been selected as a finalist to receive the Jeffrey Frank Wacks Music Therapy Program as part of the LIVESTRONG^® Foundation Community Impact Project, which brings proven cancer support programs to communities across the U.S.

Grant recipients will be determined through a public online voting campaign that runs from Monday, March 24 at 11:00 a.m. until Friday, April 11 at 6:00 p.m. Sites with the top votes per region will receive financial awards of support to replicate and implement programs that have demonstrated success in improving the lives of people affected by cancer.

MCCG seeks the support of the local community and requests their votes during this campaign. Those wishing to vote for MCCG may visit http://votemacon.org/. 

MCCG is among hundreds of organizations in contention for the award. After the voting comes to an end, the 39 organizations with the top votes in seven geographical regions across the country will receive uip to $15,600 to replicate and implement one of three sustainable programs dedicated to supporting people living with cancer.

If selected, MCCG will use the awarded funds to begin the Jeffrey Frank Wacks Music Therapy Program. The program incorporates music to facilitate relaxation, decrease anxiety and stress, enhance wellness, improve pain management and provide comfort and support for cancer patients and their caregivers. Music therapy is proven to reduce stress and pain levels associated with illness and hospitalization. For many patients, the simple act of listening to music provides a therapeutic release, promoting healing and overall wellness. If MCCG receives funding for the program, it will be implemented in MCCG's new cancer center, and could also be used in MCCG's palliative care units and The Children's Hospital.

Thanks to the votes of the local community in 2012, MCCG was awarded a grant from the 2012 LIVESTRONG^®Community Impact Project for implementation of an artist-in-residence program at MCCG's Infusion Center. Community support in 2013 allowed MCCG to receive a second grant that permitted the expansion of the program to The Wellness Center, a service of Central Georgia Health System.

“We are thrilled and honored to once again be selected as a candidate for the LIVESTRONG^®  Foundation's Community Impact Project. We share their passion for inspiring and empowering people affected by cancer and look forward to continuing our work together to make a difference in the lives of cancer patients and their families through the Jeffrey Frank Wacks Music Therapy Program,” said Nancy White, RN, Director of Oncology for MCCG.