Regina area teenager goes on tour to fight back against cancer!

At the age of 13, Ariel Mura had experienced first hand the devastation of having someone close battle with cancer.  In July 2004, Ariel’s friend and fellow Milestone Comprehensive School student was diagnosed with cancer.  She fought the disease for two years but sadly passed away in June 2006 at the age of 18.

“It’s so hard to describe how cancer affects those who have been touched by it. Whether you’re a friend, a family member or a stranger; it opens your eyes. You realize how important life really is. So many think it won’t happen to them, and when it does, it changes your whole world around. Things seem so surreal and you can’t help but wonder ‘why did this happen to me?’ ” says, now 17 year old Mura “Lisa was a fighter, and in my eyes a hero. Through her battle she had ups and downs, as any would, but she held on as long as she could. She always cared so much for everyone else, and even through all her hard times, she never forgot to live. Seeing her courage and strength made you want to be a better person. And anyone that didn’t know her, made you want to share the strength you’ve learned from her with them.”  This influence is evident in her songs like “My Friend” which expresses the heartache emotions of seeing a friend fight a serious illness, and gives hope for a recovery.

Since this tragic experience, Ariel Mura has focused on helping raise awareness of cancer related events through her music. “At my age there is only so much I can do to help charitable causes.  Because I’m still in school, and not currently working it’s difficult to support this cause financially. All I can do is offer my time and voice.”

And that she has done!  Over the last few months Ariel Mura has been involved in various cancer related events around Southern Saskatchewan such as the Benefit Brunch in Weyburn, SK and a Band of Brothers, Inc. benefit concert last fall in Regina. “Cancer is something that affects us all in some way or another.  You probably can’t find a single person on the planet that hasn’t had a friend or relative that has been affected by it.” says Mura, “Music is my way of fighting back.”

This spring Ariel Mura, will be upping the Ante of support.  Starting May 23, Mura will embark on a “Tour for Life” in support of the Canadian Cancer Society’s Relay For Life with the help of United Commercial Travelers Council 266 (Regina). “Given the opportunity, I would play in more than just one place. Supporting the Canadian Cancer Society and giving awareness to others shows the reality of cancer, and how it changes people.”

The “Tour For Life” will feature Mura donating her time and talent to perform into the wee hours of the night at Relay For Life events in 11 different cities throughout Saskatchewan and Alberta compressed into 5 days.  This arduous tour is unlike any tour that has ever been done before.  While each Relay For Life has their own entertainment, no performer has ever played multiple events in the same night.  Ariel Mura will be playing as many as 3 different cities in the same night on some dates.  “In Saskatchewan, we have never had an opportunity quite like this before. This is wonderful, I’m sure those communities will greatly appreciate [Ariel’s] presence.” Says Judy White, Provincial Manager for Saskatchewan’s Relay For Life, “I am super excited and hope to be at an event the same time as Ariel to see her perform.”

Ariel Mura will be performing at the following Relay For Life events:

May 23 – Calgary, AB
May 24 – Rocky Mountain House, AB
May 24 – Edmonton, AB
May 30 – Saskatoon, SK
May 30 – Prince Albert, SK
May 30 – Nipawin, SK
June 6 – Moose Jaw, SK
June 6 – Loreburn, SK
June 7 – Rosetown, SK
June 13 – Regina, SK
June 14 – Estevan, SK

Ariel Mura’s first single “A Sweet Goodbye” from her new album “Uneven Flight” has received airplay on commercial, internet and community radio across Canada, USA, Australia and the UK.  “Uneven Flight” will be available online, through iTunes, and in select stores on May 6.  For more information on Ariel Mura including full tour dates in Canada and the US, please visit www.arielmura.com.

For more information, to donate or find a Relay For Life event in your area, please visit www.relayforlife.ca.

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