WV College Student Raises Cancer Awareness Through Song
By: Bejoy Joseph
Updated: January 23, 2013
SHEPHERDSTOWN, WV- It's tough for anyone to lose family members and friends to cancer. Now, a local West Virginia college student is coping with losing loved ones to the disease through his gift of entertaining, while joining the fight.
Singing and being a radio disc jockey are the passions of Shepherd University senior Travis Arrington. Unfortunately, the past few years have been tough for Arrington, losing his mother-in-law and close friend to cancer.
He says dealing with the tragedies has been difficult but singing and talking about it on-air have eased his emotions.
"The pain is there of course, because you lose a loved one. You will always have memories, you will always feel that a part of you that they are not there," says Arrington. "Talking about it helps, preaching, singing, however you get your point across, it is therapeutic and it does help."
Arrington, also known as "Big T", is not your typical college radio DJ. He has been nominated for number one Male Personality of the Year and Radio Show of the Year by Southern Entertainment Awards.
Now, Arrington says he's using those talents for a good cause. Arrington is releasing a new song called "Tribute". He says this is his way of honoring his family members and friends who fell victim to cancer.
"It really hits home. They are proud of me, they appreciate it, the loved ones we lost. This is our tribute, this is our gift to my family and families all across the nation who are going through the same thing we are going through," says Arrington.
"Big T" says 80 percent of the proceeds will go towards cancer research. He hopes his lyrics will inspire cancer patients to fight and win their battles.
"I have watched it from the beginning stages to the end," says Arrington "I know the processes with the treatments, the medicines and ups and downs, I know the mountain they have to climb and just to let them know they are not by themselves."
"Tribute" is scheduled to be released this Friday on iTunes. Arrington says he's still deciding which cancer foundation will receive the funds.
Singing and being a radio disc jockey are the passions of Shepherd University senior Travis Arrington. Unfortunately, the past few years have been tough for Arrington, losing his mother-in-law and close friend to cancer.
He says dealing with the tragedies has been difficult but singing and talking about it on-air have eased his emotions.
"The pain is there of course, because you lose a loved one. You will always have memories, you will always feel that a part of you that they are not there," says Arrington. "Talking about it helps, preaching, singing, however you get your point across, it is therapeutic and it does help."
Arrington, also known as "Big T", is not your typical college radio DJ. He has been nominated for number one Male Personality of the Year and Radio Show of the Year by Southern Entertainment Awards.
Now, Arrington says he's using those talents for a good cause. Arrington is releasing a new song called "Tribute". He says this is his way of honoring his family members and friends who fell victim to cancer.
"It really hits home. They are proud of me, they appreciate it, the loved ones we lost. This is our tribute, this is our gift to my family and families all across the nation who are going through the same thing we are going through," says Arrington.
"Big T" says 80 percent of the proceeds will go towards cancer research. He hopes his lyrics will inspire cancer patients to fight and win their battles.
"I have watched it from the beginning stages to the end," says Arrington "I know the processes with the treatments, the medicines and ups and downs, I know the mountain they have to climb and just to let them know they are not by themselves."
"Tribute" is scheduled to be released this Friday on iTunes. Arrington says he's still deciding which cancer foundation will receive the funds.
