As a long-time social worker, Merrill started the Bone Marrow and Cancer Foundation in 1992. In working with cancer patients for the past 33 years, Merrill saw a great need to create a strong community for cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers. "So 'CancerBuddy' is a platform where patients can upload their own information and swipe and to meet whoever they want to meet with based on their diagnosis, their age, their cancer center, their geographical location," says Merrill.
The 37-year-old, whose real name is Jessica Cornish, later revealed she was due to undergo a second operation and had to postpone her autumn tour. Jessie J said: Mum to mum, who has just recently gone through cancer, I just wanted to give her a hug. We acknowledged that it's something that is not easy to go through, especially in the public eye.
Accompanied by the San Jose Chamber Orchestra, sjDANCEco is looking to leave audiences "Spellbound" by its Oct. 10-11 performances at the California Theatre in downtown San Jose. The program features new works by company choreographers Maria Basile and Nhan Ho, along with guest choreographers Hsiang-Hsiu Lin, Fred Mathews and Colin Connor. Performances start at 8 p.m. Tickets are $31-$124 at sjdanceco.org/tickets.