Vernon musician raising money for local teen battling cancer

You are strong
Stronger than this
Stronger than anyone
Strong
Strong enough to stand up
And you’ll find me here at your side

- You are Strong

Vernon musician Kevin Bader hopes his song of inspiration helps a local family through a heart-wrenching ordeal.

“This song was born after hearing about a friend going through a life challenge. My goal was to make it universal, as a song of "you got this" to anyone going through a tough time,” said Bader. “Little did I know, a few days later it would become kind of a theme song for a close family member.”

That family member is 17-year-old Joyce, who is battling bone cancer, and has been dating Bader's son, Jeremy, for a year.

Joyce was diagnosed with Ewing's sarcoma this past summer. The cancer is affecting the bone and tissues in her left hip.

"Joyce said the pain before the diagnosis was horrible, but an 'inconvenience' compared to this ... it is all very daunting at times,” said Joyce's mother of the treatments her daughter is going through.

Bader said the goal now is to use the song to support Joyce and her family through a Gofundme campaign.

“We were able to keep the recording a secret from Joyce until this past week. When she heard it, it was a reminder of the love and support from her extended family,” said Bader. “It was immediately and emphatically obvious to me, following Joyce’s diagnosis, that the song was for her.”

Bader said Joyce and her mom will need to make a trip to “Seattle right after Christmas and stay for eight weeks of special radiation treatments. Gas, meals, hotel ... and when they return to Vancouver, it'll mean staying in a hotel to quarantine before being allowed back into Ronald McDonald House.”

Joyce will receive treatment at BC Children's Hospital until at least June, 2021.

To hear the final version of the song, click here.