Hosting ‘Save a Life’ concert to help Samantha Grant with hospital bills

GUYANESE musician Samantha Grant is heartened by the outpouring of support she has been receiving ever since she became ill. The concert scheduled for today (July 14) in honour of her by her fellow villagers and musicians is the latest gesture that she deeply appreciates.
Three villagers from Plaisance, East Coast Demerara – Erwin Allen, Cheryl Thomas Went and Anisah Woolford-Saunders – where Samantha grew up, came together with Ssignal Productions led by Bonny Alves and Charmain Blackman to host the ‘Save a Life’ concert.

The 43-year-old, who started her singing career at age 19 with the Sheriff Deputy and Wonder Girls back in the day, moved on to Trinidad, where she did her “Rock my Body” album. From there, she had an opportunity to go to Canada, where she spent about 15 years before returning home.
Things changed for her when, in 2021, she felt a lump in one of her breasts, but like so many other breast cancer victims, she didn’t take it for anything.

In 2022, though, she did a mammogram, and the results showed that it was cancerous. By this time, the lump had gotten bigger. So, after starting chemotherapy, she had the surgery in 2023. But this wasn’t going to be it for Samantha.
“I say I had it because I am not claiming it anymore. I had breast cancer.

I did the surgery, and they took out the lump and sent it to Trinidad, so we are basically waiting for the results to see how far along it is. In the process of doing that, I had a kidney relapse; my kidneys failed, so now I have to do dialysis for that,” she shared with Pepperpot Magazine.
So by means of the concert, the villagers and musicians are trying to raise funds to help with her ongoing medical expenses.
“Everyone who is supporting me either through donations, a nice word, having me in their thoughts and prayers, I really appreciate it,” Samantha expressed.

“I did a live with Charmaine and Bonny, and I didn’t really want to because at times you go and share your story and some people start talking stuff, but the response I have gotten is really overwhelming and heartfelt and I really appreciate it,” she continued.
Even though she has eased up singing because of her illness, she said Bonny has asked her to enter the ‘Calypso Monarch’ next year. “I told him yes because I am feeling much better and by then I will be even better.”

Even though the illness has changed life for Samantha in terms of her eating habits and other things, she said it has made her look at life differently. “It shows you that sick really don’t have any age; anyone can get sick. It makes you think positively and take one day at a time and make the best of each day.”
She is not ashamed to admit that before the illness, she was not very much into reading the Bible and praying. But the situation has made her realise how much she needs God in her life.
At the concert today, Samantha wants to perform alongside her colleagues. Melissa ‘Vanilla’ Roberts, Vinel Hinds, OKC, Big Red, Alabama, Charmaine Blackman, Ego, Jumo, Calvin Burnett and Akeem Alexander, among others, have all thrown their support forward and are on board to perform.
The concert will be held at historical site in Plaisance at the head of Prince William Street on the line top. “At the concert, I would love to be performing. I can still sing because nothing ain’t happen to my voice.”