I have had a lifelong dream to "give back" in a lasting, tangible way for the blessings and gifts I have been given in my life and in my career. By founding The Maureen McGovern "Works Of Heart" Foundation for Music and Healing, I have begun that journey.

Since recording "The Morning After" in the early 70's, I have received countless letters from people who have used my recordings during surgery, recovery, chemotherapy and during particularly difficult times in their lives because of the life-affirming message they provide.

I was asked to sing at a Pittsburgh Hospital's Pediatric ICU on Christmas Eve years ago. Most of the children were sent home for the holidays and only the very critically ill children remained, along with their caregivers. I performed several children's songs and holiday favorites and ended with "The Morning After." Most of the children were on IVs and breathing machines and were heavily medicated, but the weary parents received the hopeful message of "The Morning After" with grateful, open hearts. As the children's beds were being wheeled back to their rooms, one by one, each parent clung to me with tears in their eyes. One mother thanked me over and over again for making her heart "smile" -- something she hadn't felt in over a year. I will never forget their faces. I knew, then and there, that I was put on this earth to sing music that comforts and inspires.

Recently, I gave my recording of "And I'll Be There" to a hospice worker in New England. She, in turn, gave it to a despondent young mother at the hospice who had advanced breast cancer and was struggling to find the right words to say to her four and seven year old daughters when they arrived, as it would likely be their "last talk." When the hospice worker returned, the young mother was relaxed and radiant. She said the song had given her the perfect words to say and that she wanted to leave the song to her girls, so that they would always remember her by it and be comforted as well.

For years I have given motivational speeches intertwined with inspiring music for organizations such as The Muscular Dystrophy Association, Disney, Sundance Institute Theatre Program, charities and corporate organizations. For the past eight years, I have been an Artist Spokesperson for The American Music Therapy Association, "singing the praises" of professional music therapists and championing the therapeutic power of music to aid in the healing process. As an MDA National Board Member and also a twenty-eight year volunteer for The Muscular Dystrophy Association. I have learned that hope is very contagious.

My youngest niece was diagnosed with dermatomyocytis eighteen years ago and thanks to MDA's invaluable help and hope, she is in her second remission and thriving. Today, she enjoys baseball, swimming and soccer. Twenty-seven years ago, I lost my mother to a nine-year battle with colon cancer and recently my father to prostate cancer. Their strength and courage inspire me every day of my life. I deeply understand the hearts and minds of patients and caregivers.

With The Maureen McGovern "Works Of Heart" Foundation for Music and Healing, I am offering powerful, musical milligrams of hope, with daily doses of inspiring music and affirmations to counteract fear, isolation and despair - - and to provide healing comfort, stress release and inspiration for patients and caregivers. From pediatric cancer patients, to Alzheimer's patients, to emotionally exhausted caregivers, to those suffering from grieving and loss, the application is endless and the need is great.

Please join me on my journey.....

Blessings,

©2005 Maureen McGovern "Works Of Heart" Foundationis a 501(c)3 non-profit organization and accepts contributions which support its mission.
Contributions are tax deductible as allowed by law.