We in Pat McGee Band thank all of you for the condolences, love and concern that you have sent to us following the death of our dear friend and drummer Chris Williams last Saturday, October 28. We are amazed and heartened with the outpouring of affection in e-mails and on the band’s message board and MySpace page. Chris, a founding member of the band, with his drumming has been the foundation of our music for ten years (or as Brian put it so well, he was our huge puff of air that lifted us to play each night). As band members, you live like brothers, and we cannot express how much we will miss him. Your condolences have helped us and Chris’ family cope with this tragic loss.
Chris, a U.S. Army Veteran, was laid to rest in a beautiful Memorial Service with military honors. The private service was packed with his family and close friends, many from his music world. At the Memorial Service, many people offered touching remembrances about Chris, who was loved by everyone he met.
The band is planning to have a show, or several shows, sometime in December in Chris’ memory. We will tell you when this is set.
Many of you have asked where Memorial Contributions for Chris could be made. We, the Pat McGee Band, have selected Progeria Research Foundation, Inc. because of Chris’ special friendship with Sam, now 10, who is a drummer and who has Progeria. We met Sam seven years ago, when he attended one of our shows with his parents. We all became fast friends with this lovable, energetic, happy boy and his parents. We were delighted to attend Sam’s first drum recital at his home in Massachusetts. Sam is the first and only honorary band member. (Click here to see a video of the recital)
Progeria is a fatal, rapid aging disease that afflicts children, who die of heart disease at an average age of 13. The Progeria Research Foundation, Inc. was founded by Sam’s parents, Drs. Leslie Gordon and Scott Berns, both medical doctors. In less than seven years, the Foundation has made incredible progress in finding the gene that causes Progeria and identifying a drug that is showing great promise in an ongoing medical trial. Sam’s parents have appeared on The Today Show, Dateline and in other major media reporting about the amazing, promising results of the Foundation’s Research.
The Foundation is seeking to raise $2 million to continue the trial of the drug that may save the lives of those with Progeria. The discovery of the Progeria gene not only led to further understanding of Progeria, but scientists now know that studying Progeria can help us learn more about heart disease and the normal aging process that affects us all.
It is fitting that those who loved and admired Chris pay tribute to him by helping The Progeria Research Foundation, Inc. find a cure for this terrible disease and, as an added benefit, help learn more about heart disease.
One hundred percent of your dollars will go directly to helping these beautiful and incredible children. Sam has touched all of us in the PMB family so profoundly, and Chris had a particularly special bond with Sam through drumming. Please also know that when you give any amount, Chris’s mother Donna and PMB will receive a personal notice of your generosity with your name. Donna has already expressed what your thoughts and prayers mean so these ongoing donations will help keep Chris’s spirit alive and help her understand how many people the Pat McGee Band with Chris touched.
You can donate online at www.progeriaresearch.org and click on WAYS TO DONATE. On the donation form where it asks for the “name and address to send a card acknowledging your contribution,” simply write “Family of Chris Williams.” The Progeria Research Foundation will send a card to both Chris’ mother and PMB. You can also donate by mail to the address listed below.
Memorial contributions for Chris Williams may be made to:
The Progeria Research Foundation, Inc.
PO Box 3453
Peabody, MA 01961-3453
tel: 978-535-2594
fax: 978-535-5849
To donate online: www.progeriaresearch.org
