"Beats for Breath" 24 Hour Drumming Challenge for Pulmonary Fibrosis
Clare Donohoe
My Story
The inspiration for ‘Beats for Breath’ a 24 hour drumming challenge, comes from a family whose lives were shaped by music, and devastated by pulmonary fibrosis. George Cooney, a drummer from a musical family, who played in bands throughout the 70s, 80s and 90s. Along with his brothers, he dreamed of forming their own group, “Band of Brothers” to play free gigs for local charities, including hospices, cancer charities, and Chest Heart & Stroke.
In August 2019, George and two of his brothers played their final gig together. George performed for three hours while on oxygen. One month later, he was diagnosed with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF). He passed away on 3 November 2019.
At the time, just like most families who receive this devastating diagnosis, his family had never heard of pulmonary fibrosis and found little support. During lockdown, another brother, Johnny, was diagnosed with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis and later passed away. A third brother, Charles, was also diagnosed and sadly also died from the disease.
Through searching for help, the family connected with the pulmonary fibrosis community in Northern Ireland and were welcomed into Pulmonary Fibrosis NI [NIC 109094], where support, understanding and compassion were found during the darkest of times, and still continues to support the family.
It is from this journey of loss, and the healing power of music, that “Beats for Breath” was born.
“PFNI supported me throughout my grief journey,” George’s wife Donna said. “That is why I want this challenge to succeed, to raise awareness of this cruel, life-limiting disease and to make sure other families do not feel alone.”
“Beats for Breath” is designed as a cross-community, inclusive event, welcoming everyone, from seasoned drummers to complete beginners, united by one simple idea: make noise for hope.
So whether you are a member of a rock band, Irish Trad band, school percussion team, marching band, community musician or a solo drummer, this challenge is open to everyone – all ages, styles and abilities are welcome.
Also, we are delighted that Ali Brown, multiple Guinness World Book of Records holder for endurance drumming will be spearheading this event, having a deep personal connection with the disease, having lost his mother to pulmonary fibrosis in 2016.
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Target
£2,000
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Raised so far
£2,926
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Number of donors
101
My Story
The inspiration for ‘Beats for Breath’ a 24 hour drumming challenge, comes from a family whose lives were shaped by music, and devastated by pulmonary fibrosis. George Cooney, a drummer from a musical family, who played in bands throughout the 70s, 80s and 90s. Along with his brothers, he dreamed of forming their own group, “Band of Brothers” to play free gigs for local charities, including hospices, cancer charities, and Chest Heart & Stroke.
In August 2019, George and two of his brothers played their final gig together. George performed for three hours while on oxygen. One month later, he was diagnosed with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF). He passed away on 3 November 2019.
At the time, just like most families who receive this devastating diagnosis, his family had never heard of pulmonary fibrosis and found little support. During lockdown, another brother, Johnny, was diagnosed with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis and later passed away. A third brother, Charles, was also diagnosed and sadly also died from the disease.
Through searching for help, the family connected with the pulmonary fibrosis community in Northern Ireland and were welcomed into Pulmonary Fibrosis NI [NIC 109094], where support, understanding and compassion were found during the darkest of times, and still continues to support the family.
It is from this journey of loss, and the healing power of music, that “Beats for Breath” was born.
“PFNI supported me throughout my grief journey,” George’s wife Donna said. “That is why I want this challenge to succeed, to raise awareness of this cruel, life-limiting disease and to make sure other families do not feel alone.”
“Beats for Breath” is designed as a cross-community, inclusive event, welcoming everyone, from seasoned drummers to complete beginners, united by one simple idea: make noise for hope.
So whether you are a member of a rock band, Irish Trad band, school percussion team, marching band, community musician or a solo drummer, this challenge is open to everyone – all ages, styles and abilities are welcome.
Also, we are delighted that Ali Brown, multiple Guinness World Book of Records holder for endurance drumming will be spearheading this event, having a deep personal connection with the disease, having lost his mother to pulmonary fibrosis in 2016.
