Bailey's performs at Dana's Angels Research Trust benefit.
Lindsay Niegelberg, The Stamford Advocate
For her ISP, senior Bailey Outerbridge planned to write five original songs. She performed those pieces on April 30 at Taft. And that was just the beginning.
The Taft concert was not only a part of Bailey’s ISP, it was a fundraiser for Dana’s Angels Research Trust (DART). DART is a nonprofit organization founded by Phil and Andrea Marella to fund medical research, education and care for Niemann-Pick Type C disease (NPC). NPC is a genetic metabolic disorder in which harmful quantities of cholesterol and other fatty substances accumulate in the cells of the body including the spleen, liver, lungs, bone marrow and, most dramatically, the brain. Dana Marella, Phil and Andrea’s daughter, was diagnosed with the disease in 2002 when she was eight years old; her brother was diagnosed two years later.
Bailey first heard about DART through her friend and manager, Janice Roeg.
"After hearing about the charity from Janice, I did some reading to learn more," Bailey said. "I thought it was a great cause and decided to hold a DART benefit at Taft. The idea of a concert fit perfectly with my ISP."
Bailey does not know exactly how much money was raised at Taft, as the funds were donated directly to the Marella family.
"There was a great turnout," Bailey notes. "My classmates were very generous."
On Saturday, May 5, Bailey continued her work for DART by performing one of her ISP pieces at a major fundraiser in Stamford, CT. Hosted by celebrities Frank and Kathie Lee Gifford, the DART Gala Benefit and Concert featured headlining artist and nine-time Grammy winning singer Natalie Cole. Opening for Cole, Bailey debuted her song ‘Smile,” which was dedicated and inspired by Dana’s battle with her disease.
“In writing the song, I talked to Dana’s mom a lot and looked at her pictures and I was really struck by her smile,” Bailey told the press. “Her smile is really one of the only ways she can interact with people, but she has this really rich smile that is really very touching.”
After a decade, DART has raised $2.3 million to fund research and, organizers said, their goal is to raise $375,000 more this year.
To learn more about DART, visit danasangels.org
Click here to read more about the Stamford event.
RSS
LinkedIn
Twitter
Facebook
Print Page