Personal loss creates drive to keep fighting for a cure
A local community activist has teamed up with a country-western recording artist to help kids with cancer understand what they are going through.
Neil Carrey, who lost his 16-year-old son, Chris, to pediatric cancer in July 2000, has teamed up with singer/songwriter Karen Shayne — a three time cancer survivor — to create a series of songs, books and videos to reduce the fear and aid the understanding of children stricken by cancer.
The materials will follow a young boy named Ivan and his dog, Sam, through the challenge of cancer, from diagnosis to treatment to a return to normal life.
Included in the package will be guides for parents and small stuffed animals for children to carry from the hospital to doctors’ offices.
3AC,“There really isn’t anything out there like this, and it’s really needed,” Carrey said. “It’s such a wonderful idea, and I really think it’s going to be big.”
The project is a nationwide effort to help children with cancer, and already Children’s Hospitals in Los Angeles and Atlanta are working with Shayne and Carry’s non-profit, which Shayne named the Ivan & Sam Foundation. Hospitals in other cities are also talking with the foundation, Carrey said.
Since very little support material currently exists for stricken children and their families, the Ivan & Sam project will be available soon to provide reassurance and comfort to thousands across America, Shayne said.
“This project will leave a lasting mark in the battle against cancer,” said Shayne in a prepared statement.
When Shayne was undergoing treatment, other patients of the hospital would see her walking with her IV pole, and say, “There goes Karen and Ivan,” Carrey said.
It was also during this time that Shayne met numerous children with cancer who didn’t understand what was happening to them, the singer said. Then soon after being released from the hospital, Shayne’s dog, Sam, died of cancer.
That’s when Shayne decided she needed to help create these materials to help children, and at the same time she decided to dedicate it to “Ivan” and her dog, Carrey said.
The story starts out with a little boy who is about to pitch his first little league game, but first he has to go to the doctor’s office. It’s then the boy finds out he is diagnosed with cancer, and the story follows him through the process of getting back to playing baseball again.
“She’s the talent end, and I’m the business end,” said Carrey. “And we both have a strong tie-in to pediatric cancer.”
Carrey said he knows his son is watching his work, helping to push him ever-forward in his dedication to helping raise awareness for pediatric cancer.
“Chris was one of the most amazing, brave kids who touched so many people,” Carrey said. “I wanted to do something my son would be proud of.”
Carrey and his wife, Karen, formed the Chris Carrey Charitable Foundation shortly after their son’s death to help fund pediatric cancer research. Since then, the foundation has given tens of thousands of dollars to researchers in hope of finding a cure for pediatric cancer.
This past holiday season, Carrey said he made his latest $25,000 donation to Los Angeles-based Stop Cancer, which is the organization that brought Shayne and Carrey together on the Ivan & Sam Foundation.
“Chris’ spirit is still reaching out to us,” Carrey said. “He sent me Karen, who not only has a passion for my cause but is also a country music performer. And for this country music fan, I am honored he granted my wishes and sent me two gifts in one.”
For more information on the Ivan and Sam Foundation, please contact Neil Carrey at (310) 442-8835.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on December 27, 2002. Read the original PDF.