A Note From Benjamin Kummer about the Album

I have been a supporter of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society since 2005, when a friend from college's mom was diagnosed with lymphoma and her daughter fund-raised thousands of dollars for two marathons, which she ran, through Team in Training. Over the summer of 2009, I was just a regular old second year med student, with a hectic academic life punctuated by tests and more or less regular band practices, with the occasional show in Philadelphia. While I was studying for my boards in June, I found a painless lump in my neck that I reported to my primary care doc. A few days later, I learned that I had Hodgkin's lymphoma - a total shock and one of the absolute worst days of my life. Six crappy months of chemo followed... with all the fatigue, nausea and hair loss that made me look like a completely different person... without me ever taking a break from med school -- or music. Luckily, I responded to the treatment and went into remission. As of 6 weeks ago, I'm still in remission and according to my medical team, it seems like I was able to beat the disease.

I have to say, though - I really think that one of the things that got me through the whole experience of being a patient and a doctor-in-training at the same time was being able to maintain a creative, fun outlet of music by playing in the Delta Natural and writing tunes. If it weren't for the guys in the band and the music, and working towards this project, I think I would have gone crazy a long time ago. Donating our proceeds to LLS represents my appreciation for being a survivor and for all the work the LLS does -- furthering research for blood cancers, raising awareness for leukemia & lymphoma, and providing hope and support for patients and their families that aren't as fortunate as I was.

I'm just grateful to be alive and still involved with music as well as medicine-- two of the most important parts of my life.

-Ben Kummer

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