Local Musician Brings Healing Sounds to
Northside Hospital Cancer Patients

Cancer patients at Northside Hospital received the gift of music this holiday season from local "pianist of peace" Stanton Lanier, of Marietta.  Through his organization, Music to Light the World, Lanier donated 100 of his own CDs to patients in the hospital’s various oncology departments.

More cancer cases are treated at Northside Hospital than at any other community hospital in Atlanta.  "We are so grateful to Mr. Lanier for h is generosity to our patients during this time of year," said Patti Owen, director of oncology services at Northside. "Being in the hospital during the holidays, particularly when you have cancer, can be very difficult and I believe that these CDs will go a long way in brightening the hopes and lives of our patients."

Patti Owen, director of oncology services, Northside Hospital; Stanton Lanier; a nd Marianne Askew, director of volunteer services, Northside Hospital.

Lanier, who has played piano since the age of six and wrote his first song at age 14, has a signature style of lyrical, reflective melodies evolved from influences such as Bach, Billy Joel and Windham Hill.  His music has been referred to as "calming, soothing and uplifting."  In 2004, the musician founded Music to Light the World, a non-profit 501 (c)(3) organization with a vision to "bring peace to the soul" through donating performances and CDs to cancer patients, hospitals, inner city ministries and schools.

"There was a heart from the beginning to be generous with the music? to offer peace and rest in a hurried world through scripture-inspired piano melodies," said Lanier.  "And to have a worldwide vision for the music and message to touch lives with peace, hope and healing."

For several years, Stanton has performed for Northside’s cancer patients at the hospital’s annual adult cancer camp and through Northside’s ‘Healing Sounds’ program for patients and families in the surgery waiting rooms.  "Stanton and his music have been a gift to our patients and their families," said Marianne Askew, director of volunteer services at Northside and coordinator of the Healing Sounds program. "His music truly does ‘bring peace to the soul’.  He is a healing presence throughout the hospital and we are so fortunate to have him."

Northside agrees with Lanier’s philosophy that treating a patient’s spirit is just as important as treating their body.  From education, prevention and screening to diagnosis and treatment, research, support and survivorship, Northside’s Cancer Care Program offers a full continuum of care that encompasses the entire cancer experience.  The hospital believes that patients shouldn’t have to choose between expertise and compassionate care in their fight against cancer and that, at Northside Hospital, they don’t have to.

For more information about Stanton Lanier and
Music to Light the World, visit www.stantonlanier.com.

For more information about cancer care services available
at Northside Hospital, visit www.northside.com.