Dear Jack,
I’m A. Sarr, 25 year old electronic artist and musician from NYC. Last month I was diagnosed with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia and more than anything, I’m still not completely sure how to process everything. Luckily I’m still in the acute phase and modern medicine is at a good place so all I have to do (besides dealing with side effects and mental stuff) is take a pill. Which is a definite blessing compared to what most other who’ve been diagnosed go through.
In spite of all of this, I’ve spent my last 7 or so years in the music industry. I’ve toured throughout the world with indie nerd rock group, Chamber Band playing guitar in convention halls and theaters. Somewhere in between I’ve also created work as a DJ, record producer, and solo artist in my own right making a combination of the two.
I’ve led a lucky life, being able to do what I love for a living, even if it’s a humble one, is something I don’t take for granted. Now with this diagnosis, and a somewhat stable health situation, I feel like I need to do more with this platform. Which is what leads to this long letter to you. I discovered Dear Jack in 2005 when I was a kid. Something Corporate was my favorite band at the time, watching what Andrew went through with ALL, and seeing him start Dear Jack and watching it flourish into the monument it is, has been especially inspiring both throughout my career and in this trying time where I’m going through a similar circumstance.
Thank you for all you do.
Sincerely,
A.Sarr
AYA Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Patient