While cancer continues to take lives around the world, one local man has started a music project to help Canadian researchers fight the disease.
“Cancer rates are incredibly high these days,” said Dylan Shorthouse, a Parksville resident. “The odds are against us at this point, it’s terrible. I kind of want to help figure out why it’s happening, and where it’s coming from,” he said.
The 19-year-old student at Vancouver Island University has begun a project called Busked. On Sundays, weather and work depending, he takes to the streets of Nanaimo with his guitar to entertain and have some fun, donating all his busking proceeds to the Canadian Cancer Society (CCS). Shorthouse said not only is he doing this to raise money and awareness for cancer, but to motivate youth to “quit playing video games and do something worth doing.”
He said he wants people to know that his generation cares, and they are trying to make this world a better place.
“It’s a start to show that we care,” he said. “We’re going to try and we’re going to make a difference in the future and we do care. And lets have some fun along the way.”
Although Shorthouse encourages others to join him in Nanaimo, busking licenses are necessary to perform.
His short term goal is to raise $2,000 for the CSS, and longterm he would like to get sponsorship to take his project across Canada.
Find Shorthouse between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Sundays around the Nanaimo Waterfront area.
Check his Facebook page for updates on his exact location and soon an online donation opportunity. www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=139877472745495.