Updated June 26, 2003
On Friday June 27, 2003, the Today Show will feature a segment highlighting singer and thyroid cancer survivor Eileen Johnson. Eileen, who has been profiled here at About.com in our Thyroid Success Story section, survived a teenage bout with thyroid cancer that nearly endangered her growing singing career, and has come out a singing sensation. Eileen has dedicated a great deal of time to volunteer efforts, joining actor Richard Karn, (Al from television's "Home Improvement") to perform for his "Stardays" cancer fundraisers in Seattle, singing the National Anthem for Seattle Mariners games, and performing for the Seattle "Gilda's Club" cancer benefit in memory of the late Gilda Radner, who died from cancer. The June 27th appearance coincides with the release of a new double-disc CD, Voices for Gilda. All the proceeds of this CD go to benefit Gilda's Club, a nationwide network of support clubs for cancer survivors founded in honor of the comedien Gilda Radner.
Eileen has two songs on the CDs, which were conceived of and organized as a fundraise for Gilda's Clubs by her mother, Mary Kay Johnson. Eileen's voice joins a host of famous performers including Elton John, Paul Simon, Celine Dion, Tony Bennett, Kenny G, Harry Connick, Jr., Nathan Lane, Randy Travis, Sarah McLachlan, Willie Nelson. The album also features hilarious performances from Steve Martin, Dana Carvey, Billy Crystal, Gilda's husband, comedian Gene Wilder, and Gilda Radner herself.
