A WOMAN living in Letterkenny was inspired to compose her song ‘The War’ following a moving experience at her first Relay for Life last year.
Rachel Akkoç, who is a breast cancer survivor, wrote the song as a fundraising effort after she was struck by the amount of people she witnessed wearing the purple survivors t-shirt at last year’s event.
Speaking about her experience, Rachel said she saw what she could only describe as a purple sea in front of her.
“People were wearing the same uniform of survivorship as me, all coming together with other affected people for this special annual fundraising event.
“This inspired me to capture the moment in song.
“The lyrics and music for the song started flowing as soon as I got home and very quickly the song was written and arranged for a small orchestra.
“I wanted to condense the feelings of unity and support that I witnessed on the pitch at the ATU in Letterkenny into music, which is my passion.
“The thousands of candles representing loved ones who have been lost to cancer looked to me like a single beacon of light and hope to all affected by this insidious disease,” she said.
Rachel said even though you feel very alone going through a cancer diagnosis and treatment, coming to an event like Relay for Life reminds you that you are not alone.
“You’re very much a part of an ever-expanding club that nobody wants to be a member of, but a brilliant club nevertheless.
“A club where everyone understands the ‘secret handshake’, so to speak, and the huge importance of fundraising for much-needed support services.
“Families, friends, colleagues, caregivers and survivors all come together with one singular purpose, to raise vital funds for charity and specifically the Irish Cancer Society.
“At Relay we remember those we’ve lost and celebrate the ones like me who came out the other side, a little shaken up, but still fighting,” she said.
The title of the song ‘The War’ is a reference to the long game, the war against cancer.
The Trojan work undertaken by the Irish Cancer Society in this country was at the forefront of Rachel’s mind while penning the song.
Rachel hopes that her song will help with the fundraising efforts this year.
To that end, she teamed up with gifted local multi-instrumentalist and vocalist, Amy Meehan, to record the song.
Amy kindly agreed to sing the lead vocals, as well as playing piano and bass guitar on the track.
She also skillfully mixed and mastered the finished song.
A team of local musicians generously donated their time to record the musical arrangement.
It’s poignant too, that the cellist on the track is a breast cancer survivor, just like Rachel.
The wonderful Relay Survivors’ Choir are also on board to assist with vocals on stage.
Rachel would like to thank all those who helped with the song in any way, and in particular, Amy Meehan, who has offered up her expertise and talents in order to bring Rachel’s musical vision to life for this project.
‘The War’ will be released on the usual streaming platforms and on social media in the coming weeks with all proceeds going to Relay for Life Donegal.
The song will be performed on stage at the Relay for Life event on Saturday, June 3 at the ATU Campus in Letterkenny by the Survivors’ Choir, which Rachel is a member of.
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