By Gina Martinez
First-grader Chloe Mitchell, a Whitestone girl who was diagnosed with leukemia in March, got a special performance from The Songs of Love Foundation Saturday.
Songs of Love is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing personalized, uplifting songs, free of charge, for children and teens currently facing tough medical, physical or emotional challenges.
John Beltzer, president and founder Songs of Love, reached out to Chloe’s mother, Erin, to see if her daughter was up for it.
Chloe was excited and full of energy, smiling as she went through the lyrics of her song. She especially enjoyed the mention of her favorite singer, Justin Beiber.
Chloe’s mother collaborated with the foundation to get all the song’s details just right. The foundation’s songs are usually very personal. Chloe’s song was about her love of video games and food.
“Chloe, you can kick some Tae Kwon Do and you dress up in your colors: red, yellow and gold. When you shoot hoops, you swish that all. Playstation, Pokemon — You ace them all … Have some mac ‘n’ cheese, plug your iPad in, pick your favorite Beiber song and give it a spin.”
Chloe first fell ill in March during spring break vacation and was subsequently diagnosed with leukemia. Her mother started a Go Fund Me page that has received support from all over the community and raised $46,000, $2,000 over of its original $44,000 goal in the last two months
At the end of March, Dwarf-Giraffe Athletic League, a local basketball league where Chloe played instructional basketball, raised $3,400 during a fund-raiser at its annual Basketball All Star Day Saturday.
The Song for Love Foundation has written and recorded more than 2,000 songs for children who have been treated in more than 150 hospitals throughout the nation. Some of the artists who have recorded songs for the organization are Michael Bolton and David Lee Roth.
Mitchell said she continues to be surprised by the outpouring of support from the community.
“Just like with the basketball game, I never thought that people would do this for us,” she said. “Everyone has been so kind and today was so great. Chloe loved her song.”
Mitchell gave an update on Chloe’s condition. She said she is in high spirits and feeling better, continuing her treatment.
“We’re actually halfway through with treatment,” she said “Chloe goes to chemo four times a week and she’s been good. She’s doing well, but we still have to continue.”
Reach Gina Martinez by e-mail at gmart
