Gabe’s Chemo Duck Program hosted Chemo Duck Goes Country, a red carpet event on November 9, 2010 at the historic Berger Building in downtown Nashville. Multi-platinum, country artist Collin Raye and 2010 American Idol contestant Charity Vance performed. All proceeds from the event benefitted the Gabe’s Chemo Duck Program in order to provide therapeutic tools, including a companion stuffed duck dressed in medical scrubs, to children living with cancer.
In addition to live music, celebrity appearances, hors d’oeuvres and cocktails, Chemo Duck Goes Country held a silent auction that included Chemo Ducks signed by celebrities including Carrie Underwood, Vince Gill, Brad Paisley, Trace Adkins, Miley Cyrus, Katy Perry, Chris Daughtry, Reba McEntire, Charlie Daniels, Backstreet Boys, Travis Stork, The Judds, the Broadway cast of American Idiot, Big Time Rush, Ben Harper, Taylor Swift, Danny Gokey, Michael W. Smith, Collin Raye, Billy Ray Cyrus, Melinda Doolittle, Kelly Clarkson, Florence Henderson, Marc Broussard, Crystal Gale and many more.
“My son was so young when we received his diagnosis and it was very hard for me to explain what was happening to him,” explained Lu Sipos, founder of Gabe’s My Heart, the nonprofit behind Gabe’s Chemo Duck program. “Gabe obviously didn’t know the medical terms and was very afraid of the medical equipment. When Chemo Duck arrived and we began doing role-play with this cuddly stuffed animal, Gabe quickly began to understand the procedures and his fear subsided. We were so excited about the Chemo Duck Goes Country fund-raiser and look forward to getting even more ducks into the hands of children who are battling this horrible disease.”