News

The Sound of Sunshine is my attempt to bottle the feeling of hope, optimism, and positivity that you get when you first see the sun in the morning, or watch it going down at the end of the day. I wrote the album as I was coming back from a near fatal ruptured appendix. Everything in my life at that time took on a new significance. I was grateful for even the smallest things, like a smile, or seeing my friends and family.
~ Michael Franti

Last month Michael asked you to share what The Sound of Sunshine means to you by uploading a written blog, photo or homemade video to MichaelFranti.com.  THANK YOU to everyone who participated...your submissions  were amazing.  We enjoyed reviewing them all, each had its own unique meaning which is what this contest was all about...sharing the The Sound of Sunshine in your life.

Here are final three winners.  Congratulations!

1st place - KianaH:


2nd place - RHosbach:

3rd place - Samsenk:

Cancer SUCKS! There are no words to describe the feeling a parent has when they are told their child has cancer and nothing can comfort them. The fact is that when this news comes, and it does often, a shift takes place. Somehow the world tilts 46 times every day as 46 children are diagnosed with cancer. 46 times too many! My world tilted on December 30th 2009. Mattias was one month away from his 6th birthday when he began COG a5971 chemotherapy protocol for T Cell Lymphoblastic Lymphoma. This protocol consists of an 8 drug cocktail that pours toxins into his little body to kill healthy cells, as well as the diseased cells, keeping the cancer from spreading to other areas of his body. These drugs are administered though his veins, spinal column and multiple pills. The treatment lasts 2 years if he is "lucky" enough to remain in remission. That’s 730 days too many! 30 years ago, survival statistics improved from 60% to 80%. While that’s sounds good there are still huge concerns, as a Mom, that I have already began to face. 1 out of 5 kids will still die. I have seen that. 3 out of the 4 kids left will suffer life long side effects. This includes permanent organ damage, secondary malignancy, learning difficulties and many more. I am seeing evidence of these now. There has only been 1 new drug approved for pediatric cancer in the past 20 years. The budget for pediatric cancer research is currently $189.8 Million. $8.1 BILLION is spent on breast cancer research. It's unacceptable to watch kids go through this. It's unacceptable that it is tolerated by anyone at all! I will not give up and I will scream till I am heard! Please help the 28,980 families that discovered their children have cancer, all since the day that Mattias was diagnosed. Remember, awareness is key. And It is the sound of sunshine! Consider joining Team Mattias this March at the St. Baldricks event in Boise. We encourage everyone to develop their own team as well. Our family and hundreds more in the area appreciate donations and bids for the silent auction. St. Baldricks mission is raising awareness and funds where it is needed most. The Sound of Sunshine means many things to me. To let go of self limiting doubt that my voice will not be heard. Most importantly it means to become intoxicated with love and hope for a better future, cure and end of suffering for our children. Holding on to this hope in a constant state, free of anger is the sound of sunshine! MSTI Pediatrics, where my son is treated, benefits from grants awarded by The St. Baldricks Foundation. Thanks for your support. Samantha Senkbeil (cancer mom) You can visit Mattias at www.caringbridge.org/visit/mattiassenkbeil You can donate on Tias’ behalf http://www.stbaldricks.org/teams/mypage/teamid/64924