Hildy Grossman’s life has been about caring for people and bringing joy into their lives. She has two professions: clinical psychologist and professional singer.

As she shares, “As a psychologist, I have the honor of being invited into people’s lives and connecting at a deep level. As a singer, and a member of The Follen Angels (my jazz/cabaret group), the music is also about making meaningful connections.

In the Fall of 2006, I bought a pair of green sandals with a cute kitten heel. That cute heel was no help on my basement stairs, when I slipped, thus began an astonishing journey from one ridiculous situation to another. The result being a CT scan that showed that I had early stage lung cancer(See the entire story at www.UpstageLungCancer.org/hildys-story/). Because my lung cancer was diagnosed by accident and at an early stage, my only treatment option was surgery.

I am a singer. I was in the middle of recording a CD at the time. My first reaction was complete shock, and I assumed that this diagnosis was a death sentence. I was tremendously sad for myself and my loss of family and friends and equally sad for the loss this would cause my husband, children and grandchildren. I am a fighter, and a very determined person, so, I established Upstage Lung Cancer so I could use my music to pay back for my survival. We get the word out and fund early detection research so that survival is NOT by accident or luck, but through effective, inexpensive and easily available new diagnostic tools. “

We got to ask Hildy a few questions below.

Q: How has planning and hosting your fundraisers helped your healing?

A:I love the saying, “Music is the best medicine.”  In my case, it’s true. Music lifts my soul. As an artistic person who thrives on producing new shows, there are few things that I enjoy more than producing a new concert. I only choose music that I love. Because of this, I always say I can guarantee the audience will love the concert and leave the theater filled with joy. It gives me so much satisfaction that I can create an enjoyable oasis of music and at the same time help people learn about lung cancer and how important it is to find it early when it is most treatable. I feel fortunate that I can do what I know I am able to do by accomplishing that.

Q: Why do you partner with Bonnie and GO2 for Lung Cancer?

A: We have partnered with ALCMI (GO2 for Lung Cancer’s sister research organization) and the foundation since 2015 with our annual Spring Concert, “Sing Out,” and we plan to continue our partnership going forward. From these concerts, we have been able to make significant contributions together to ALCMI’s Young Lung Cancer research project.

Everyone at the organization has been a dream to work with. We are still focusing on how the work on understanding the nature of lung cancer in younger people goes forward and how early diagnosis is impeded by younger age. I am very appreciative of the partnership and the work ahead we can do together.

Even if you aren’t in the Boston area, this year YOU can attend the 2020 Sing Out for Lung Cancer on November 12th at 7pm EST. Click here to reserve your spot today!

Do you have a special gift to share? Any passion you have can be turned into a fundraiser. Get started today!