Stuntman Tracy E. Thomas has been featured in movies The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, and Drive Angry, among others. However, his current focus is on the art of healing. He created Changing Fate (CHNGNF8) “to promote the healing properties of art and music therapy to cancer survivors and caregivers.” The organization uses art forms—music, painting, film, and more—to help cancer survivors communicate and share their story. “We seek to create survival art, thus providing much needed hope and community to those disenfranchised by this insidious disease,” he says.
Thomas is himself being treated for metastatic kidney cancer. He created an album in late 2013 and put all his time into his creativity, even producing a short film. During this process, he learned to foster well-being through artistic expression. “Survival is, in large part, attitude,” he says. “Don’t double-down on thinking about cancer!”
READ MORE ABOUT MUSIC THERAPY AND HOW IT HELPS THOSE SUFFERING
Changing Fate’s 1,000 Ukes of Light campaign provides ukuleles to cancer survivors and caregivers to help them harness their inner creativity and self-expression. Thomas says, “Our goals for 2015 are expanded production, further propagation of our 1,000 Ukes of Light campaign, as well as the solicitation of cancer survivor candidates for two scholarships.” One scholarship will allow the winner to record music, while the other provides the tools to complete a short film.
“Music is a healing tool that anyone can utilize,” Thomas explains that’s what Changing Fate is all about. “We hope to provide healing, encouragement, and mentorship to those who have lost hope and need a light to cover their darkness.”
