The American Cancer Society has teamed up with solo artist and Black Eyed Peas member, Taboo, for an opportunity that uses the power of music in the fight against cancer. This morning, Taboo released a new track called The Fight on iTunes and other online music stores and performed it on the Emmy® Award-winning syndicated series, The Doctors. The song is an anthem of survivorship that was inspired by Taboo’s personal experience facing testicular cancer, which he announced publicly for the first time today on The Doctors. To help create a world free from the pain and suffering caused by cancer, Taboo will donate proceeds from each download to the American Cancer Society. These funds will be used to support cancer research, prevention and early detection efforts, and patient service programs.
Taboo was diagnosed with testicular cancer in 2014. After experiencing debilitating pain throughout his body following a performance, he checked into an emergency room. It was there that he ultimately received a stage 2 cancer diagnosis. Taboo underwent surgery and a rigorous regimen of chemotherapy five days a week for 12 weeks. In 2015 he was declared in remission. Since then he has recommitted to healthy living and fitness, including working out daily, dancing, and playing sports with his kids.
“To the millions of survivors and caregivers out there who are either facing this disease or adjusting to life after cancer, I want you to know: I’m in the trenches with you. And the American Cancer Society is too,” says Taboo. “I’m so proud to release The Fight because it’s truly an anthem of survivorship. I want to use this song and my story to inspire and motivate people all over the world to live their best, healthiest lives possible.”
“And I want the world to know that it’s possible to face cancer and emerge stronger on the other side,” Taboo adds. “Just look at me.”
In May, 2016 Taboo became a global ambassador for the ACS, using his voice to inspire a movement to live healthy and to raise funds to fight cancer. Once making the decision to partner with the ACS, Taboo embarked on a summer-long journey to better understand the depth and breadth of the organization’s work. He toured the National Cancer Information Center in Austin, TX, where Trained Cancer Information Specialists are on-hand to provide free information 24 hours a day seven days a week, and visited patients at the American Cancer Society Hope Lodge Atlanta, a free lodging facility for cancer patients who must travel far from home for treatment. Taboo also performed at several Relay For Life events, the largest community fundraising event on the planet. He credits these experiences with helping him make the decision to go public with his personal cancer journey.
“It’s always valuable to have a talent like Taboo team up with an organization like ours,” says Sharon Byers, chief development and marketing officer of the American Cancer Society. “Taboo is part of our family at the American Cancer Society. He is someone who is selfless and has offered his talents to help us raise dollars to save lives. This partnership is so special, because Taboo has a deeply personal connection to the mission of the American Cancer Society. He understands the value and the urgency of the work that we do. And in addition to helping us raise critical funds, he is also inspiring cancer survivors all across the country and teaching the importance of a healthy lifestyle. We are honored to tell his story and grateful for his dedicated support.”
