‘Everyone is cheering for me’: Brain tumor survivor performs at Fairport Music Festival

FAIRPORT, N.Y. (WROC) — Dozens of musicians were thrusted into the spotlight Friday and Saturday for the Fairport Music Festival. Veterans, first timers and even some familiar faces returned to the stage after facing hardship.

“It’s been a long journey for us,” Sarah Harrison said. She told News 8 Saturday that her son Jack has always had a passion for music.

“My family – we all just grew up loving music. Music’s healing,” she explained.

When Jack was young, he showed some signs that something was wrong, but Harrison said she never thought those would lead to the diagnosis he received in 2018.

“He has a brain tumor, and he went through 60 weeks of chemotherapy and then he went through another six weeks of radiation,” she said.

Throughout those treatments, Harrison said Jack stayed resilient.

“He navigates himself through doctor’s appointments. I mean, he has countless doctor’s appointments, and he is the one who always leads it, and he’s a warrior, and we are just going to let the warriors lead us right now.”

What also got Jack through those appointments: music. When he finished treatment, he decided to chase that passion by creating a band.

“Jack is now the frontman of his band, and you’re just again, in awe. As a mother, I am just so grateful that he’s healthy and thriving and on stage doing what he loves,” Harrison said.

Saturday, his band performed at the Fairport Music Festival. We caught up with Jack after the performance.

“It’s nerve wracking, but when I get off that stage, see everyone’s just cheering for me, and no one has a negative attitude seeing me perform, which I’m very grateful for,” Jack said.

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