LOWER SACKVILLE: The medical staff at several hospitals province-wide are getting some “hair-raising” help from a well-known Lower Sackville musician during the COVID19 pandemic.
Jon Cyr is using the tool he has passion for to help the medical staff at the QEII Health Sciences Centre; IWK Children’s Hospital; Dartmouth General Hospital; Aberdeen Health Foundation (New Glasgow); St. Martha’s Regional Hospital (Antigonish); and the Cape Breton Regional Hospital (Sydney).
Cyr is holding Music for Medical Workers fundraisers every Tuesday and Friday at 8 p.m. during April. His goal for the month of April is $5,000. He had raised $1,700 as of April 6.
You can donate by checking out: www.Canadahelps.org and searching for “Music for Medical Workers.”
He had said he would have his hair shaved if he raised more than $1,500, and they did that in flying fashion with the first show on April 3. His sons Donavan and Jaden joined in the fun, shaving theirs as well.
“I used to shave my hair constantly for about four or five years and then when my son had his graduation I started to keep my hair growing and was actually enjoying having the long flowing hair again,” said Cyr with a smile. “However, I wasn’t expecting my sons to be shaving theirs at the same time so it was a great life experience and will teach them a valuable lesson in the end.”
The music fundraiser, which sees the concerts livestreamed over at www.facebook.com/joncyrmusicpage, was inspired after he spoke with friends who are medical staff and seeing the mental drain that this is on them as a result of COVID19.
“I decided that for this month I would like to make it a goal to help raise some money to assist the doctors and nurses in our local hospitals,” said Cyr. “I’m sure almost everyone has friends that are working on the front lines in the fight against the COVID-19 virus.
“These men and women put their lives and families at risk to protect our well being day in and day out and have an increased amount of stress surrounding their days, nights and long hours spent at the hospital caring for the sick.”
He said they need equipment, supplies and extra wages to help offset the amount of overtime they are putting in to make sure N.S. and Canada can flatten the curve.
“Throughout the month I will offer up a few live music concerts,” said Cyr.
He said that fellow musicians JD Clarke; Jason Price; and Josh Kelly are in the que to perform, he just needs to pinpoint some dates.
