Retinoblastoma, A Childhood Cancer, Takes A Guitar Legend at 41

Jeff Healey, self taught guitaist, singer, and blues icon was stricken with Retinoblastoma at the age of 1 and lost his eyesight.  He lost his fight to this cancer over the weekend. He is already missed by his fans and friends he has made around the music industry.

The Jeff Healey Band had a huge hit back in the 80s with Angel Eyesand Jeff also appeard as Cody in the movie "Road House"with Patrick Swayze, Ben Gazzara and Sam Elliot.

What does that have to do with a post on Localism or Active Rain?

As some of you know I belong to the Mickey Jones Bikes And Blues Committe to benefit St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital, Retinoblastoma is one of the many childhood cancers the good folks at St Jude are trying to cure. Retinoblastoma represents only about 2% of the malignant childhood cancers in the US, but that percentage is higher in other parts of the world. St. Jude is making some headway in treating this rare but deadly cancer but it is years from a cure.

This is why St. Jude needs people like you and me to help them out. This is why Mickey Jones comes to Ormond Beach in April of every year to hold his Bikes and Blues With Mickey Jones which benefits St. Jude.

This is why bikers from all around Central Florida join Mickey at the Iron Horse Saloon and form a 3 mile long parade of bikes to ride around our beautiful Ormond Loop.

This is why golfers come out and join Mickey at The Pelican Bay Golf Course to play 18 holes at $100 a person.

And this is why our Bikes and Blues committee works hard to make this big April weekend happen. 

St. Jude will turn no child away regardless of ability to pay and one day, no child will die from Retinoblastoma.

This is why I do what I do....

I felt horrible last night at our Committee Meeting when I told everyone of Jeff's passing and of the cancer that began it all. I wanted them to understand how important our work is and that no one is untouchable by these childhood cancers. I didn't realize that our own Big Mike Griffin who is one of our celebrities and was at last nights meeting actually knew Jeff and performed with him. My friend lost a friend and didn't even know, this makes this fight even more personal now.

I found a tribute video last night on youtube... Please take a moment to watch..