In the world of childhood cancer, heroes come in many forms. Some wear white coats, others don nursing scrubs, and then there are those who wield drumsticks and a heart of gold. Brit Turner, the founding drummer of Blackberry Smoke, was one such hero — a man whose rhythm not only moved feet but also touched countless hearts.
Brit’s journey with CURE began in 2009 when his daughter was diagnosed with stage-4 neuroblastoma. For two grueling years, the Turner family navigated the storm of childhood cancer, finally reaching remission. But for Brit, this wasn’t the end of the story — it was just the beginning.
Where others might have stepped back, grateful for their own child’s recovery, Brit stepped forward. He made a promise: “When my daughter was diagnosed, I felt completely helpless and I made a promise to help people going through the same thing.” It was a promise he kept until his last breath.
Through Blackberry Smoke, Brit orchestrated the raising and donating of over $700,000 to childhood cancer organizations. But numbers, impressive as they are, fail to capture the essence of Brit’s impact. It was in the quiet, often anonymous acts of kindness that Brit’s true character shone brightest.
Picture a single mother struggling to keep a roof over her family’s head while her child battles cancer. Brit, moved to tears by her story, silently paid this stranger’s mortgage for six months. Or the hundreds of nurses at the Aflac Cancer Center receiving light-up shoes — a gesture of appreciation from a man most had never met. These weren’t publicity stunts; they were the actions of a man whose empathy knew no bounds.
Brit had a unique ability to turn conversations away from himself, always more interested in the stories and needs of others. When we shared tales of families in need, Brit’s eyes would immediately well up. His response was always the same: “What can we do to help?”
Even when faced with his own glioblastoma diagnosis in 2022, Brit’s resolve to help children with cancer only strengthened. He approached his own battle with the same courage and grace he had witnessed in so many children, all while continuing his mission to support others.
To us at CURE, Brit wasn’t just a supporter or a donor — he was family. He was the brother who shows up unannounced with exactly what you need, the friend who listens without judgment, and the warrior who fights tirelessly for a cause bigger than himself.
As we move forward, we carry Brit’s spirit with us. The Brit Turner Family Fund at CURE will continue his legacy, helping children and families who need it most. But perhaps the greatest tribute we can pay to Brit is to approach our mission with the same love, empathy, and selflessness that he exemplified every day.
Brit Turner left an indelible mark on the childhood cancer community — not just through his music or his fundraising, but through the countless lives he touched with his kindness and compassion. He showed us that true heroism lies in the quiet, consistent acts of love that change lives one at a time.
*In loving memory of Brit Turner (1967-2024) — a devoted father and husband, a talented musician, a tireless advocate, and a true friend to all who knew him and to countless others he never met but held close to his heart.
“She didn’t suffer from too many side effects until she reached the long-term maintenance phase, which is supposed to be easier,” said Stacy. “She had more hospital stays and a lung infection that was difficult to treat. Going on our wish trip changed everything for her.”
“Daniel’s freshman year and part of his sophomore year were from home because of COVID,” Felicia said. “He could only do partial days during his junior year because of treatment and finally got to go back to school full time for his senior year. He was very ready to get back to his friends and routine.”
I’m so proud of him.
We walked into the hospital and Levi began having what I can only explain as a panic attack. He clung to me and wouldn’t let go. He was terrified to go back to the 5th floor where he was diagnosed. He kept saying, “Mama, don’t you remember how bad it is there? It’s my worst nightmare. Mama I already lived my worst nightmare.”
When we do these things, we have the opportunity to move from a quick check-in about school that involves the parent looking at the calendar on their phone to check the family’s itinerary and the teenager answering quickly before going to their room to a more intentional interaction that includes eye contact, lightheartedness in nonverbal communication and shared laughter about an event of the day, and two family members ending the conversation hopefully feeling more connected to one another. If a conversation is not as pleasant in subject matter, this skill still allows for connection via expressing understanding of one another’s points, even if full agreement cannot be reached. While many of us know the importance of aspects of the GIVE skill, intentionally utilizing the skill as a whole grounds us in the goal of connection with our teenager and provides us with a framework of how to do so.
“My world just dropped with those three letters,” Heather said. “I was absolutely crushed.”
