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The Lana Turner Fund

The purpose of the Lana Turner Fund is to provide funding for CURE’s research initiatives and patient and family support.

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In late 2009, Brit Turner, Drummer of Rock Band Blackberry Smoke, was on tour in Europe when he was given devastating news. His daughter Lana had been diagnosed with Stage 4 neuroblastoma, a rare form of cancer that develops from nerve tissue. Only three at the time, tumors had taken over 97 percent of her body. Brit and his wife Shannon were devastated but resolved to fight the disease. And in 2011, after years of treatment, The Turner family finally received some good news. Lana’s cancer had gone into remission. It was at that point that Brit’s commitment to ensuring the wellbeing of children was born. Initially, Brit and his band Blackberry Smoke leveraged their building fame, to generate donations from their growing fanbase to contribute to children’s cancer research.

Lana's Story

“My daughter was very sick,” says Brit. “While staying at the hospital, my wife and I watched families come and go. We watched many children die, and those unforgettable moments shattered us both deeply. No matter what horrible situation is thrown at you, someone always has it worse. As a band, we have always performed at charity shows and try to lend a hand anytime we were able to. But it wasn’t until Lana was diagnosed that I felt it from the other side. This was the first time I felt like I was completely helpless and that I couldn’t provide – I didn’t know what to do.”

Thankfully, Lana survived and is doing great today.

“My daughter was very sick,” says Brit. “While staying at the hospital, my wife and I watched families come and go. We watched many children die, and those unforgettable moments shattered us both deeply. No matter what horrible situation is thrown at you, someone always has it worse. As a band, we have always performed at charity shows and try to lend a hand anytime we were able to. But it wasn’t until Lana was diagnosed that I felt it from the other side. This was the first time I felt like I was completely helpless and that I couldn’t provide – I didn’t know what to do.”

Thankfully, Lana survived and is doing great today.

Over the years, the Members of Blackberry Smoke have not only become hometown heroes but also international music stars and have lived up to their promise to do everything they can to fight children’s cancer. Since 2011, Blackberry Smoke has donated more than $700,000 to childhood cancer organizations. The money raised is largely a result of meet-and-greet packages purchased by fans. The band also hosted the Blackberry Smoke Ride for CURE in 2019 and plan to make it an annual event. These initiatives have all contributed to the goal and reinforced the idea that music and goodwill have the power to turn the tide of a terrible disease, and music has the power to heal. But throughout this time, Brit and the team have always felt that more could be done.