Lynne Taylor Donovan Beats Breast Cancer
Lynne Taylor Donovan is now officially a cancer survivor. Diagnosed with breast cancer in November 2003, Lynne underwent surgery to remove a lump just before Christmas. She endured 6 months of chemo therapy and 3 months of radiation treatments in 2004.
During the treatments, Lynne made two trips to Nashville, a trip to Country Music Week in Canada, gave numerous radio interviews, and filmed two videos. The fatigue tied to the treatments made it almost impossible for her to tour for any length of time and she performed only one major concert in 2004. Two months into the chemo, she lost her hair and gained some weight, both side effects of the chemo therapy. She appeared everywhere in custom wigs including the two videos for “Turn To Stone” and “Make It On My Own”.
I know, why did we wait ’til now to tell you? Well, after viewing many articles on artists with breast cancer, we found that the stories concentrated on the illness rather than the music or their careers. After some discussion, and knowing in our hearts she would recover fully, the decision was made not to make her illness public until we knew she was ready to perform in public again…and now, on with the story…
The treatments ended in September 2004 and Lynne underwent further tests until February 2005. We are very pleased to announce she is cancer-free, back to her slim self, and is growing back her glorious locks. Appearing at a major festival for the first time in 16 months, and sporting her new hair style, the press at Mountainfest were curious. When asked, why the short hair, she told the story for the first time in public. She announced it to the audience during her show and received a standing ovation.
A major newspaper in the region wrote the following after Lynne’s show at Mountainfest:
The “Best Reason for a New Hairstyle” award goes to Lynne Taylor Donovan, who got things off to a great start on Thursday. Questioned about her new, shorter locks, Donovan said there was a simple reason: “I had cancer last year and I had to have chemo(therapy). It’s growing back, but I like it short. And yes, I am totally cancer-free.”
That last comment also gets the “Good News of the Weekend” award.
(Special to Kamloops This Week – July 20,2005 – Alan Wishart)
After the time off, her performances of late are nothing short of stellar, she is in great shape, and her voice is strong and clean. She performed her first major concert of 2005 to rave reviews on the mainstage at Mountainfest, with Chely Wright and Adam Harvey, July 14.
We sincerely thank you for your support and, as the MC at the festival announced:
“Sheeees faaaabulous and Sheeeees baaaackkkk!!
….Please welcome to the stage…..
…………Lynne….Taylor….Donovan!!”
Gord Bridgewater-Pacific Records Ltd.
http://www.lynnetaylordonovan.com