Sean Fredella Fights For Pediatric Cancer Research
For those who don’t know Sean Fredella, his story is pretty incredible. He was first diagnosed with cancer when he was just 2 years old and he fought a rare brain tumor and leukemia on and off again four times through the 5th grade.
Sean is now in his late teens, enjoys guitar, lacrosse and other sports. In the last few years, Sean has also worked with his organization, Pedia-Trick or Treat, to raise awareness that only 4% of money donated to cancer research is allocated to pediatric cancer. He is a part of The Rally Foundation, which has funded over $11 million in pediatric cancer studies and has helped fund a brain tumor research project at Children’s Hospital of Alabama.
You started taking lessons from Will Mason a while ago. Why did you want to learn how to play the guitar? How has music inspired you in your journey?
I started [taking guitar lessons] around 3rd or 4th grade. Will use to come to my house and teach me. When I got sick, I took a break from playing guitar but I’ve always loved music.
Music is really inspirational and can keep you motivated. Whenever I hear one of my favorite songs, “Hard to Concentrate” by The Red Hot Chili Peppers, I get the chills. I played that song every day before going to the hospital and its awesome melodies calmed me down. Flea’s soft bass line incorporated with John Frusciante’s effect pedals followed by Chad Smith’s smooth drums is just something beyond imagination. Anthony Kiedis presents his symbolic lyrics that have deeper meaning than they seem. Every time I put that song on I remember entering the hospital. I remember being scared. I remember wanting to cry. Then I remember the song ending and hope was restored in my life. I was at peace.
Why did you want to get involved in the #morethan4 campaign?
I wanted to do #morethan4 because I feel that kids deserve more than 4% of national cancer research funding. No child should experience such a horrific thing at such a young age. No child should die from cancer. That’s why #morethan4 was created. We’re currently working to get athletes, one by one, on any sports teams to wear gold. From pee wee to the pros. If you know anyone in sports, you can raise awareness by supporting the kids and wearing gold. Learn more about More Than 4 Athletics.
Read about Sean’s experience participating with TEDx Talks in the September/October 2017 issue of Mountain Brook Magazine. (Cover photo courtesy of Mountain Brook Magazine)
Get more music news on Mason Music’s blog.
