Albany Med announces ‘The Melodies Center'

ALBANY -- It's been 30 years in the making.

What started as a single show back in 1980 is now a holiday tradition for tens of thousands of capital region families.

With the help of the Empire State Youth Orchestra and Youth Chorale, and the financial support of its sponsors, Freihofer's, Price Chopper and CBS 6, Melodies of Christmas has raised $5.7 million for critically ill children at Albany Medical Center over the past 29 years. This year, that number is expected to top $6 million.

On Thursday, came a special recognition. The Albany Medical Center named the child cancer center “The Melodies Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders.”

Each year about 700 children are treated at the center for various cancers and blood disorders, and every year at melodies some of them take the stage in a touching moment to say thank you.

“When they come up, it’s special because they are survivors and they’re going to be there for the long haul,” said Price Chopper CEO Neil Golub. “When they keep coming back, you know they’re doing okay and that's special.”

“We've been a part of the Melodies of Christmas from its inception when we first began 30 years ago,” said Freihofer's Vice President Mike Loscalzo. “We are extremely committed to raising funds each year for the child cancer program at Albany Medical Center.”

The future for the show is a bright one.

“We're just going to keep doing this for as long as we possibly can,” said CBS 6 news director and the show’s executive producer Lisa Jackson.

The future for the center is even brighter.

Thirty years ago, the survival rate was about 30-percent. now it's topping 70 -- thanks, in part, to melodies.

“I don't think they can afford to do this without them,” said Melodies Community Chairperson Elmer Streeter.