Next couple of gigs coming up – for all you Peninsula people, we’re at the Rye RSL on March 30th, and the following Thursday, April 4th we’re at the Celtic Club with a stellar lineup playing a fundraiser for Paul Carroll’s daughter.
The benefit concert is for Melissa Carroll, 30, who is battling Ewings Sarcoma, a rare bone cancer.
Melissa is the daughter of Paul Carroll, who you may remember as one of the founding members of the band Poteen who performed in Australia in the 1970’s and 80s.
Paul is making a return visit to Australia, the first time since leaving with his American wife to raise a family in New Hampshire, USA.
Joining him for this special night are Cooney’s Brew, Saoirse, Poteen, along with Shanakee.
Paul has continued to perform his music in the USA and has recently released a CD. Link
Melissa has been treated at Massachusetts General Hospital. She has undergone a year of chemotherapy, followed by surgeries and radiation. Sadly, the cancer has returned and she has begun a new series of chemotherapy. At a very early age Melissa displayed an artistic talent and later attended the Massachusetts College of Art. Her work has been displayed in galleries in Boston and New York City. Prior to her illness, Melissa was living in New York City creating her own art www.melissacarroll.com along with working as assistant to the artist Francesco Clemente. Melissa has a sister, Amy, 28, a lawyer in California, who was born at the Royal Women’s Hospital in Melbourne, and a brother, Patrick, 25, who lives in Boston working in health and fitness.
Melissa has a blog about her cancer. Before her cancer returned, Melissa was selected to join others struck by cancer on a healing journey to India. While there she has been volunteering in a school, teaching art to young children. Her doctors helped make this possible by beginning her chemo treatment before her trip and to continue upon her return.
