Above: Photo courtesy of Kathryn Costello
By: Kama Stigall
Several of the world’s top skaters and musicians recently came together in Music City for a great cause – to raise money to find a cure for cancer.
Photo Credit: Kathryn Costello
The Scott Hamilton & Friends 2022 Nashville Ice Show was held on November 20,2022 at Bridgestone Arena in downtown Nashville, Tennessee. The show served as a fundraiser for the Scott Hamilton CARES Foundation, which is dedicated to changing the future of cancer by funding advanced, innovative research that treats the cancer while sparing the patient. The Scott Hamilton & Friends Nashville Ice Show is one of several annual Sk8 to Eliminate Cancer™ events hosted by the organization. This is the sixth year of the Nashville event.
Scott Hamilton, the 1984 Olympic men’s champion, created the CARES Foundation in 2014 after his own battles with cancer. Hamilton was first diagnosed with testicular cancer in 1997 and later recovered. In 2004, he was diagnosed with a brain tumor, and with subsequent tumors in 2010 and 2016. Since his initial diagnosis, Hamilton has worked diligently to raise awareness of new, less harmful methods for treating cancer.
“Skating has the power to do many things – excite, entertain, inspire, unite, and now heal,” Hamilton said. “CARES is an organization that holds on to the mission to change the world for the better through funding cancer research to defeat the cancer while sparing the patient harm.”
With 1.9 million new cancer cases expected in the United States this year and 1,670 deaths per day from cancer, the work of the CARES Foundation is even more crucial.
“I am here 25 years post-cancer because of two research scientists in Indiana that figured out how to treat my type of cancer,” Hamilton said. “There are many more cancers looking for answers and CARES is uniting with skating to help solve those mysteries.”
The live music aspect of the event provided an exciting and interactive backdrop to the world-class skating. 2022 Olympic bronze medalists Madison Hubbell and Zachary Donohue skated to “Brighter Than the Sun” by Grammy® Award-winning artist Colbie Caillat. Reigning World pairs champions Alexa Knierim and Brandon Frazier fired up the crowd with their skate to “Don’t Stop Believin’,” sung by Jason Derlatka of Journey. Two-time Olympian Karen Chen enchanted the audience with her performance to “In Better Hands” by Dove Award winner Natalie Grant.
Photo Credit: Kathryn Costello
In addition to many top American skaters, the show included skaters from across the globe. Two-time Olympic pairs champion Katia Gordeeva performed an ethereal routine to “Praise You in This Storm” by Natalie Grant. Three-time World ice dance medalists Kaitlyn Weaver and Andrew Poje skated to Colbie Caillat’s hit “Fallin’ For You.” Former competitive skater turned social media star Elladj Baldé brought down the house with his highly entertaining performance to The Fray’s “Over My Head,” which was sung by Joe King.
The audience was also treated to exhibitions by spoken word poetry artist Steve Connell and group of local skaters known as “The Overcomers.”
The November 20th show had several thousand attendees, many of which had a personal connection to cancer through family members and friends. Healthcare worker Abby Atkinson of Nolensville, Tennessee, attended the event.
“My mother and father are both cancer survivors,” she said. “Research is the biggest thing to finding a cure for cancer.”
Healthcare investor Marcus Whitney, who serves as a board member for the CARES Foundation, believes strongly in the mission of the organization.
“The work of the CARES Foundation is helping to fill a pretty big gap in healthcare, and it’s helping the patients’ voices to be heard,” Whitney said.
To learn more about the Scott Hamilton CARES Foundation, please visit: https://www.scottcares.org/.
