North Andover Musician Holds Benefit Concert Honoring Her Grandfather

NORTH ANDOVER, MA — A North Andover native and her band will perform in a concert next month to benefit the Alzheimer's Foundation of America.

Here's more information from the Alzheimer's Foundation of America:

On Saturday, March 23, North Andover-native Michelle Canning and her Michelle Canning Band will host an Alzheimer’s benefit concert in honor of her grandfather who lived with Alzheimer’s. The 13th annual “A Night on the Edge!” will raise funds for the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA) to support programs and services for families impacted by Alzheimer’s disease and research towards better treatment and a cure. The concert will take place at Chelmsford Elks Hall (300 Littleton Road, Chelmsford). Doors open at 6:00 pm and the concert will begin at 7:00 pm.

Michelle Canning said, “Alzheimer's has impacted the lives of so many families, including mine. I want those affected in the future to be better prepared and receive better care than those of the past and present. While I am not a doctor or scientist, I can use music to help achieve this goal. It is an honor to raise money for the Alzheimer's Foundation of America, and I hope to make my Grandpa proud.”

“We are incredibly grateful that Michelle Canning and her band continue to use their talents to further the fight against Alzheimer’s disease and help the millions of people who are affected by it,” said Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr., AFA’s president and chief executive officer. “Their support of AFA and the funds they raise continues to make a difference for families across the country.”

The cause hits home for Ms. Canning as her grandfather, Ken Canning, Sr., had Alzheimer’s disease and passed away at the age of 82 from the illness. She co-wrote a song in his honor called “It’ll Take Him Away.” She also co-wrote a new, fictional song about a woman with Alzheimer’s called “Better Left Unsaid” which she will perform at the benefit concert.

People can share photos of their loved ones who are living with, or have passed from, Alzheimer’s. up to a week in advance, by sending them to info@MichelleCanning.net a week in advance of the concert to be shown during the performance.

To date, the annual benefit has raised almost $70,000 for AFA. Proceeds raised by the event help fund AFA programs and services nationwide, which include a National Toll-Free Helpline, the National Memory Screening Program, therapeutic and educational programs, caregiver support groups, professional training, as well as research towards better treatment and a cure.

Currently, more than 130,000 people in Massachusetts are living with Alzheimer’s disease.

Tickets for Michelle Canning’s March 23 benefit concert in support of the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America can be purchased at www.michellecanning.net. Those who cannot attend but would like to make a donation can do so by visiting www.michellecanning.net or www.alzfdn.org/donate.