Lung Cancer Survivor, Joseph Neale, Breathes New Life into Music Career and Debuts his Single at Toronto East General Hospital on Tuesday March 4, 2014

Neale will perform live kicking off the final leg of the hospital's $211-million dollar capital redevelopment campaign

TORONTO, Feb. 19, 2014 /CNW/ - Toronto-based singer/songwriter Joseph Neale is breathing new life into his music career, thanks to Toronto East General Hospital (TEGH) -- Ontario's foremost community teaching hospital.  Neale, a lung cancer survivor who was treated at TEGH, will celebrate with hospital staff as he debuts his new single "Open Up" in a live performance on Tuesday, March 4, 2014 from 10:30 a.m to 11:15 a.m.  The performance will kick off the final stretch of TEGH's $211-million-dollar capital redevelopment campaign.

At 22 years old, Neale is singing the praises of TEGH's Dr. Carmine Simone and his thoracic surgery team. 

"I was 20, diagnosed with lung cancer. I was terrified.  All I could think of was would I ever sing again, would I live to see my baby daughter grow up?" said Joseph Neale, who comes from a family of musicians, including his cousin, Juno-award-winning jackSOUL (Haydain Neale). "Dr. Simone at East General treated me like his son. I knew he cared and would do all he could to save my life, save my voice. When I woke up in the recovery room, the first thing I tried to do was sing.  I am forever grateful to Dr. Simone for my life and for making it possible for me to fulfill my dream to sing for the world." 

Neale's compelling story is testament to the positive life-changing impact of the expertise at TEGH.  TEGH delivers the highest standard of care to people like Joseph Neale every day.  It is this commitment that inspires donors to support TEGH's Capital Redevelopment Campaign -- donors such as the Thomson family, who gave a gift of five-million dollars to establish the landmark, state-of-the-art Ken and Marilyn Thomson Patient Care Centre.  With only three-million dollars left to be raised, TEGH Foundation is poised to complete its $60-million dollar campaign in 2014. 

Refer to this link for the heartwarming video story of Joseph Neale's care at TEGH. Neale's song, "Foreigner" is featured in the video: http://we.tl/H8CeLcLlTX

Images of Joseph Neale, Toronto East General Hospital, and of renderings of the new Ken and Marilyn Thomson Patient Care Centre are available. 

Media are invited to attend the celebratory event to launch the final leg of the capital redevelopment campaign at Toronto East General Hospital (825 Coxwell Avenue) on Tuesday, March 4, 2014 from 10:20 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. In addition to Joseph Neale's live performance, TEGH CEO and President, Rob Devitt, and Foundation Chair, Michael Burns, will address the crowd, with notable guests in attendance. 

About Joseph Neale

Born into a family of musicians, Joseph began his love affair with music at a young age. He tried his hand at the guitar, trumpet and piano, but soon learned that his favorite instrument was one without strings, chords and keys: his voice. Joseph dedicates his days and nights to the pursuit of music.  He draws inspiration from musical pioneers such as Michael Jackson and, closer to home, Joseph's cousin, Haydain Neale (JUNO award-winning artist, lead singer of Canadian group jackSOUL).

Beating Lung Cancer has also brought a new awareness and respect for life and its opportunities to Joseph. Joseph was diagnosed at just 20 years of age. He had surgery at the age of 21. He is now 22 and singing with all his heart. It is a compelling story, with a great sense of hope. As the cousin of the late Haydain Neale, with the same disease and winning the fight, positions Joseph well to bring attention to lung cancer, how it can affect people at a young age and the importance of community health care. 

Visit iamjosephneale.com  

About Toronto East General Hospital: Toronto East General Hospital (TEGH) is setting a new standard in patient care. This award-winning, community teaching hospital serves the socially and economically diverse neighbourhoods of east Toronto. The hospital provides superb clinical treatment and is rapidly gaining acclaim as a leader in areas such as Thoracic Surgery, Robotic Technology and Child & Adolescent Mental Health.

Visit tegh.on.ca | Follow @EastGeneral on Twitter. 

About the TEGH Capital Redevelopment Campaign: Toronto East General Hospital is in the midst of an ambitious $211 million Redevelopment Project. The focal point of this expansion is the new Ken and Marilyn Thomson Patient Care Centre, which will usher in a new era of leading-edge health care. This landmark health care facility will increase access to inpatient and outpatient services for the more than half a million people throughout the GTA who rely on Toronto East General Hospital for health care excellence. The TEGH Foundation is in the final stretch of its $60-million private-sector campaign to support this historic redevelopment.

SOURCE: Toronto East General Hospital

Media, for further information and to request attendance at the event, contact:

Candice Best | BEST PR Boutique | 416.525.1332 or [email protected]  

OR

Justin Van Dette, Manager, Corporate and Community Relations TEGH Foundation
416-659-3870 or [email protected]