This October, two iconic landmarks in London will join 70 venues, sites and monuments and proudly light up in the distinctive pink, purple and teal of Make 2nds Count, a patient and family-focused charity dedicated to giving hope through clinical trial education, knowledge sharing, support and funding research into secondary (metastatic) breast cancer. The number marks an increase of 25% in the number of venues that joined the campaign last year. On October 13, Secondary (metastatic) Breast Cancer Awareness Day and the only day of the year dedicated to raising awareness on secondary breast cancer, The BT Tower (which will display an infographic, instead of illuminating) and Pinsent Masons will support the “Shine a Light” initiative which – as part of their “1,000 Truths” campaign for Breast Cancer Awareness Month (BCAM) – seeks to raise awareness of the reality of incurable secondary (metastatic) breast cancer, highlighting the urgent need for greater awareness, support and funding for research. Make 2nds Count is dedicated to supporting patients living with secondary breast cancer (SBC), Also known as ‘stage 4’ or ‘advanced breast cancer’, secondary (metastatic) breast cancer occurs when cancer spreads from beyond the breast to other parts of the body. The disease is incurable but treatable, and symptoms can vary from person to person. An estimated 61,000 people in the UK are living with this condition, which claims 1,000 lives every month. Additionally, a recent survey showed that 38% did not know what secondary breast cancer was, and 21% did not know what symptoms to look for. Make 2nds Count aims to ignite empathy and amplify the voices of those affected and this year’s “1,000 Truths” campaign shares personal stories of patients, families, and healthcare professionals. Kay Andrews, a patient from London said: “I’ve greatly appreciated the help and support offered by Make 2nds Count, their retreats and follow-on meetups have been invaluable whilst navigating my diagnosis in a vast city such as London, where the healthcare system can often feel overwhelming. “I felt incredibly passionate about being involved with the ‘1000 Truths’ campaign because it’s staggering to think about the number of people who die every month from secondary breast cancer. There needs to be more education for both the general public and medical professionals about the symptoms to watch for and what living with cancer really entails, and this campaign truly highlights the realities of SBC.” Sam Dixon, CEO of Make 2nds Count, further emphasised the significance of the campaign: “These illuminated landmarks represent a beacon of hope for the tens of thousands affected by secondary breast (metastatic) cancer. Through our ‘1,000 Truths’ campaign, we also want to bring the personal stories of patients to the forefront, ensuring that every voice is heard, and every life is honoured. By shining a light on secondary breast cancer, we hope to raise awareness, build a more empowered community, and ultimately improve the lives of those living with secondary (metastatic) breast cancer.” The London community is invited to participate by visiting the illuminated landmarks on October 13th, sharing photos on social media using the hashtag #ShineALight, and engaging with the “1,000 Truths” stories on the Make 2nds Count website. This campaign offers a powerful platform to honour the stories of those living with secondary (metastatic) breast cancer and to spark hope for a future where no more lives are lost to this disease. For more information about Shine a Light, “1,000 Truths”, or to get involved, visit https://make2ndscount.co.uk/news/bcam-2024
Acclaimed Canadian/British jazz singer and composer, Tammy Weis, will celebrate the work of the Portuguese poet Fernando Pessoa with this exclusive UK performance of her extraordinary project Soul Whisper.
“Tammy Weis has explored the very soul of Portugal through the poetry of Pessoa, the mythology of Lisbon’s Alfama region and wonderful musical collaborators to create an authentic, personal and truly magical sound tapestry” – Julian Joseph, BBC Radio 3
Having collaborated with the likes of Michael Bublé, Jamie Cullum and Bobby McFerrin, and now living in Lisbon, Tammy found a new muse in the writings of Fernando Pessoa. “I saw life in a different way after reading his poetry. It literally changed the way I look at my life,” she says.
Produced by Portuguese musician Rui Veloso, commonly called ‘The father of Portuguese rock’, Soul Whisper features 11 poems originally written in English or translated into it, and set to music by Tammy, with additional contributions by Grammy Award winner Terry Britten (‘Hope’), famed for his work with Michael Jackson and Tina Turner, and Portuguese Jazz artist Carlos Barretto (‘The Wind Is Blowing Too Hard’).
Soul Whisper chronicles the poet’s work dating from his early years living in South Africa, where he developed his admiration for western literature, through to his later life in Lisbon’s mythical area of Alfama. Tammy’s compositions fuse jazz, folk, americana, and traditional sounds of Portuguese music in an adept musical landscape, setting a spellbinding backdrop for her vocals. “I have worked hard to honour his legacy and bring his amazing words to people that may not have heard about him until now. The show will be in Portuguese and in English, with a Portuguese guitar. Hopefully attendees will leave feeling a bit closer to the Portuguese culture and to the amazing poet Fernando Pessoa.” Soul Whisper is unprecedented – the first time that a foreigner has set Pessoa’s poetry to music in a complete album.
Premiered in Portugal and subsequently performed in Canada, Tammy Weis Sings Fernando Pessoa will bring these beautiful recordings to life at Pizza Express Soho. Tammy will be joined on stage by the Pedro Velasco Trio and special guest Julian Joseph (OBE), the pianist and composer celebrated for his wide-ranging music encompassing jazz, pop, opera, ballet, and beyond. Actor Luis Filipe Eusébio will tell the story of Soul Whisper’s creation and recite a selection of the poems in Portuguese before Tammy performs her renditions set to music.
When speaking on what it means to bring her music to the UK, Tammy says, “It’s an honour to bring the project to the London Jazz Festival. I am grateful for the tremendous support I have had, especially Fernando Pessoa’s nephew, Luis Miguel Rosa Dias, who passed away five years ago. I think of how happy and proud he would be. He was an incredible support to me and that is exactly what I needed to push forward. So many others: Rui Veloso, The Canadian Embassy in Portugal, Randy Bachman, my amazing musicians, family, friends; it goes on and on.”
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WATCH: Live Performance on National TV RTP1 Portugal with Pierre Aderne
“Tammy Weis is a true singer-songwriter. Technically brilliant vocals delivering her poignant lyrics straight to my soul. Her live performance of “Found Your Way to Me” at Jazz FM actually moved me to tears. Remember her name!” Nigel Williams, Jazz FM
Date: Sunday, November 17th 2024
Location: Pizza Express Soho, 10 Dean St, London W1D 3RW
Tickets: £25 – https://www.pizzaexpresslive.com/whats-on/tammy-weis-sings-fernando-pessoa