2nd Drum-A-Thon – Hope To Raise More « Drum News

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2nd Drum-A-Thon – Hope To Raise More

Drummer Steve Gaul is busy in preparation for his second attempt at the guiness book of world records for the longest drumming session.

Last year he did 73 hours - the record is 120 hours - last year he raised $27,000 for the Canadian Cancer Society.

“I’m anxious. Scared. It’s different this year, knowing what you’re going to go through,” he said. “You just hit those walls. I’ll never forget what it felt like to cross 60 hours last year, and thinking ‘oh my god I have to do this again.’”

Steve however is a true fighter, he was diagnosed with testicular cancer when he was 23 but has now been cancer free for over 10 years. His sister Toni Clement lost her own fight to Para nasal cancer in december and this is the main reason he is raising money for the Society.

When Steve did the Drum-A-Thon last year, Toni said he was loopy - but her courageous battle inspired him, and he’s giving it another shot this year with high hopes. He has been training for the event, practicing a lot and is ready for this years event.

This year he hopes to raise $100,000 for the CCS, wanting to show people that even with one person getting involved can have a huge diffeerence. Raising $27,000 is no mean feat but he has much higher hopes for this year.

Steve said, “Being positive is not always easy. You have to find reasons, look for things to be thankful for, especially when you lose someone as close as your sister.”

Drumming is that outlet for Gaul. The Score Television Network has been broadcasting advertisements of the event, and he says he has had lots of support from the community, from the Burlington teen tour band.

And of course, from his fiancée Casey Stinchcombe and their new daughter, Remi T.

‘T’ was Toni’s nick name.

“I hope she’s looking down, I hope she’s happy. I hope she’s not suffering. I hope she’s up there cheering me on,” he said of his sister.

“Hopefully I’ll see her at the event. You never know where the brain goes.”

The drumathon starts Friday, Aug. 5 at 8 a.m. at the Burlington Music Centre, 2311 New St. in Burlington.

Wishing Steve the best of luck for the event!