Joanne Tudor, a 14-year-old singer-songwriter in Santa Barbara, was recently motivated to help others during the new challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.
She recently celebrated her eighth-grade graduation from Marymount. She will be a freshman this fall at the Dos Pueblos Engineering Academy.
“I started a GoFundMe page where I’m raising extra money for the Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation to change the TBCF kids’ lives,” she told Noozhawk.
Earlier this year, Tudor wrote an original song titled “Stronger Than You Know” for the Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation. She performed the song on stage at the nonprofit organization’s annual Little Heroes Breakfast before 400 attendees. All of the proceeds from the song will go directly to TBCF to help pediatric cancer patients and their families with emotional and financial support.
“On top of my song proceeds, if I can get 2,000 people to donate $5 to GoFundMe, then I can raise $10,000 for TBCF,” Tudor said. “The reason why I created the GoFundMe page is because artists only get 20 percent of each song purchase. Therefore, I would need many song purchases in order to make an impact and help TBCF.”
The song is listed on Apple Music or Amazon Music for 99 cents as an mp3 download.
“I wrote this song about my childhood friend Sofia, who was diagnosed with pediatric cancer at the age of 2,” Tudor said. “She couldn’t attend regular school, so from the age of 4 we would have play dates together when she was back in Santa Barbara after her treatments in Los Angeles. Her family needed support from the community and from organizations like TBCF in order to pay for their financial needs. By spreading the word about my song, I can help pediatric cancer patients and their families.”
Her childhood friend, now 14, is cancer free and living on the East Coast.
Tudor, a Santa Barbara native, said she also was inspired to help TBCF because her National Charity League class sponsored TBCF this year.
“Giving back to the community is part of my life,” she said. “The world needs good news right now. Help me give these children a glimmer of hope, and help them feel loved. I’m a kid helping kids. It’s time for us to forget about ourselves, and help others. One love and one world.”
Tudor said she has always wanted to share her experiences and stories with others. She has been inspired by younger artists and thought, “If they can write music, why can’t I?” Before playing the guitar, she took piano lessons from age 8 and continues to play it today.
Her parents, Lori and Christian Tudor, own a winery called Tudor Wines. The tasting room is located in Paso Robles.
For more information, email Tudor at jtjag05@gmail.com. Click here to visit the GoFundMe campaign page.
Click here to purchase the song “Stronger Than You Know” on Apple Music, or click here to purchase it on Amazon Music.
Click here to view Tudor singing the song on YouTube.
The Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation is a nonprofit organization with a mission of empowering families living in Santa Barbara, Ventura and San Luis Obispo counties who have a child with cancer by providing financial, educational and emotional support.
Click here for more information about TBCF, or call 805.308.9943.
— Noozhawk contributing writer Rochelle Rose can be reached at rrose@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @NoozhawkSociety, @NoozhawkNews and @NoozhawkBiz. Become a fan of Noozhawk on Facebook.