Three London musicians who have battled cancer have collaborated to release a powerful song titled About Time, aimed at giving a voice to those still on waiting lists for treatment and to those recovering from the disease.
Soprano opera singer Monica McGhee, 36, wrote the song after being diagnosed with thyroid cancer.
She was deeply concerned that her voice might never return, so she performed arias from all her dream roles the night before her surgery.
“There is something so comforting about not feeling alone when you are waiting for something in your life to get better,” McGhee said, hoping the song would bring comfort to those in similar situations.
Pianist Lee Michael Walton, 50, faced a long wait for surgery after being diagnosed with rare facial cancer.
His operation, a 21-hour procedure involving 15 surgeons, included facial reconstruction. Walton described it as one of the most challenging times in his life, marked by intense uncertainty.
Tenor Toby Spence, 55, also contributed to the song.
He was diagnosed with thyroid cancer just after a performance at the Royal Opera House but had to wait almost two months for his surgery.
Spence’s cancer spread to his lymph nodes, requiring a complex operation and extensive recovery, including daily singing lessons to regain his voice.
McGhee, Walton, and Spence all faced long waiting times before their surgeries, a reality highlighted by recent Cancer Research UK data that shows head and neck cancer patients are among the most likely to experience delays in treatment.
McGhee, who discovered a lump on her neck in 2017 while preparing for a performance, had her operation within a week but still struggled with anxiety during the waiting period.
Walton, too, experienced the emotional toll of waiting, reflecting on the solitude and fear that accompanies the waiting time.
All three musicians have now fully recovered and returned to performing.
McGhee, whose career was deeply impacted by her illness, is set to make her English National Opera principal debut on the anniversary of her cancer diagnosis.
Walton and Spence have also resumed their music careers.
The release of About Time is a testament to their resilience and the healing power of music.
“We are testament, the three of us, to the fact that you can have not just life-altering, but career-altering illnesses and you can keep going,” McGhee said.
The song was created in collaboration with insurance company Zurich Accelerate, with members of the public invited to learn more about the artists’ personal experiences on their website.
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