Syd Birrell
ON, CANADA
Syd Birrell is a tireless advocate for the James Fund and for families whose lives are turned upside down by the life threatening illnesses of their children.
Syd is a classical musician who twenty years ago had never seen the inside of a hospital. That changed when his brother Tony was critically injured in a water skiing accident that left him with a severe brain injury. Syd set up round the clock attendant care for his brother, and learned first hand about managing the life of a loved one facing a challenging medical condition. Syd's life took another twist in 1996, when his wife Pam, a singer, developed a particularly virulent form of breast cancer, so fast moving that doctors were concerned she wouldn't survive the year. Pam and Syd faced the possibility that their three young children would be left without a mother.
But even as Pam was recovering from the chemotheraphy they faced an even greater challenge, as their four year old son James was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, a deadly childhood cancer. While still working as an organist and choir director, Syd helped found The James Fund in 2001, desperately hoping that a cure could be found in time to save James' life. James died in 2001 at the age of eight, but the James Fund, which is emerging as one of the most important funds searching for a cure to neuroblastoma, lives on and to date has produced eight research projects, half a dozen published scientific papers, and several international collaborations. Tom Hanks is the James Fund's Honorary Patron.
These days Syd is a tireless advocate for the James Fund and for families whose lives are turned upside down by the life threatening illnesses of their children. He is also a sought after speaker, known for inspirational talks on embracing life, regardless of its challenges, and seeking the joyand adventure in each day. Syd continues to be very much in demand in the music scene, while pursuing his newly found career as author and public speaker.
But even as Pam was recovering from the chemotheraphy they faced an even greater challenge, as their four year old son James was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, a deadly childhood cancer. While still working as an organist and choir director, Syd helped found The James Fund in 2001, desperately hoping that a cure could be found in time to save James' life. James died in 2001 at the age of eight, but the James Fund, which is emerging as one of the most important funds searching for a cure to neuroblastoma, lives on and to date has produced eight research projects, half a dozen published scientific papers, and several international collaborations. Tom Hanks is the James Fund's Honorary Patron.
These days Syd is a tireless advocate for the James Fund and for families whose lives are turned upside down by the life threatening illnesses of their children. He is also a sought after speaker, known for inspirational talks on embracing life, regardless of its challenges, and seeking the joyand adventure in each day. Syd continues to be very much in demand in the music scene, while pursuing his newly found career as author and public speaker.
Syd is a classical musician who twenty years ago had never seen the inside of a hospital. That changed when his brother Tony was critically injured in a water skiing accident that left him with a severe brain injury. Syd set up round the clock attendant care for his brother, and learned first hand about managing the life of a loved one facing a challenging medical condition. Syd's life took another twist in 1996, when his wife Pam, a singer, developed a particularly virulent form of breast cancer, so fast moving that doctors were concerned she wouldn't survive the year. Pam and Syd faced the possibility that their three young children would be left without a mother.
But even as Pam was recovering from the chemotheraphy they faced an even greater challenge, as their four year old son James was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, a deadly childhood cancer. While still working as an organist and choir director, Syd helped found The James Fund in 2001, desperately hoping that a cure could be found in time to save James' life. James died in 2001 at the age of eight, but the James Fund, which is emerging as one of the most important funds searching for a cure to neuroblastoma, lives on and to date has produced eight research projects, half a dozen published scientific papers, and several international collaborations. Tom Hanks is the James Fund's Honorary Patron.
These days Syd is a tireless advocate for the James Fund and for families whose lives are turned upside down by the life threatening illnesses of their children. He is also a sought after speaker, known for inspirational talks on embracing life, regardless of its challenges, and seeking the joyand adventure in each day. Syd continues to be very much in demand in the music scene, while pursuing his newly found career as author and public speaker.
But even as Pam was recovering from the chemotheraphy they faced an even greater challenge, as their four year old son James was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, a deadly childhood cancer. While still working as an organist and choir director, Syd helped found The James Fund in 2001, desperately hoping that a cure could be found in time to save James' life. James died in 2001 at the age of eight, but the James Fund, which is emerging as one of the most important funds searching for a cure to neuroblastoma, lives on and to date has produced eight research projects, half a dozen published scientific papers, and several international collaborations. Tom Hanks is the James Fund's Honorary Patron.
These days Syd is a tireless advocate for the James Fund and for families whose lives are turned upside down by the life threatening illnesses of their children. He is also a sought after speaker, known for inspirational talks on embracing life, regardless of its challenges, and seeking the joyand adventure in each day. Syd continues to be very much in demand in the music scene, while pursuing his newly found career as author and public speaker.
2010