67-year-old Mary Travers, of Peter, Paul and Mary, will be undergoing chemotherapy after being diagnosed with a form of leukemia.
"Mary looks forward to touring again with the trio soon, and is grateful for the well wishes that have come to her from all over the world," the statement said. No other details were released.
Travers is expected to make a recovery within a few months.
People around the world are praying and sending best wishes & thoughts to Miss Mary Travers. Her beauty, grace, style, committment to civil/human rights and other causes, along with her unsurpassed talent only add to this news.
May God bless Mary and may she have a swift and full recovery.
"Before I head out to the mall this evening (yep, I'm still Christmas shopping), I just wanted to share a new message from Mary with you.
There was a letter from her in my mailbox when I got home today...and she asked me to pass along her thoughts to you all...She received the notebook binder with the well wishes from the PP&M email and PP&M Coffeehouse this week.
She says, 'Tell all the Folks on the web I feel their love and good wishes. It's amazing how healing it is.'
PaulK"
Miss Travers was released recently from the hospital where she has been undergoing chemo for leuikemia. She was well enough, and able to be at home with her family for the holidays.
Dear Friends of Peter, Paul & Mary who have been so kind and concerned about Mary:
As you are probably aware, Mary has been battling Leukemia, and we had hoped that the cancer's remission would sustain. However, recently, the cancer returned and therefore she has been admitted to a New York- based hospital for further treatment.
Notwithstanding this new, unwelcome challenge, Mary's spirits are strong, her humor intact, and her determination to beat the cancer, undiminished.
At this point, her doctors are investigating the possibility of a bone marrow transplant, and so we are reaching out to all of her many friends around the world to see if you might be generous enough to consider registering as a potential bone marrow donor. Your bone marrow might be a fit for Mary and, if not, you might be able do a great service (mitzvah) for others who similarly need a transplant.
The National Marrow Donor Program (associated with the Red Cross) offers the test to determine your blood and bone marrow specifics for free and can be contacted through tel 800-627-7692 an online form at www.marrow.org; or mail to National Marrow Donor Program, Suite 500, 3001 Broadway Street Northeast, Minneapolis, MN 55413-1753.
Mary wants to extend her most heartfelt thanks to all of you who sent such beautiful messages of concern, love, healing and humor. Paul Kehoe put them together in binders for her and she has read each and every one of them.
Bravo for caring enough to let Mary know how much you truly do love, respect and cherish her.
Keep Mary in your hearts, your thoughts and your prayers. It will make a difference-- it already has.
Love from Mary's immediate extended family circle that sends you this note.
P.S. Please do email the website if you get a bone marrow test. We'd like to know about each of your gestures in this regard, and be able share your names with Mary.
*************************
Email may be sent to: ForMary@peterpaulandmary.com
Mailing address for cards or gifts
(no flowers or plants, please):
Disclaimer: This meditation is suggested only. Any spiritual orientation is welcomed during this collective effort of healing. Please feel free to vary this exercise in any way that would make you more comfortable.
(This healing meditation will be considered for Miss Travers. It will be collectively conducted at 12 noon and 5 pm, CST.)
PREPARATION: Breathe deeply, relax and center yourself. Prepare yourself to become a channel for the healing powers of the universe (or your higher power) and to project that healing to Mary. I suggest soft lighting, or perhaps even being outside in a natural setting. Perhaps light some incense or burn some sage. Perhaps put on some appropriate music that is conducive to a relaxed state. Tune yourself to the Infinite and to the Powers which transcend time and space.
When you are prepared and centered, Light a candle and say Mary’s name. Invoke your own Higher Power, or the Healing Powers of the Universe, or whatever is comfortable to you.
If you are doing this exercise alone, then read and meditate on the following visualization. If you are in a group, have one person read the meditation/visualization so that the rest of the group can follow along:
THE VISUALIZATION:
"Picture in your mind’s eye our planet Earth spinning through space. Now picture small points of light appearing on the globe as we light candles for Mary’s health and well-being. Picture these specks of light growing in size and intensity as the Powers of healing lend strength to the flame. Now picture this light traveling upon waves of your own love and your Higher Power’s love toward Mary and her loved ones. Feel the strength of healing passing through you and projecting from you toward Mary.
Now picture Mary in your mind’s eye, healthy and vibrant, and surrounded by a circle of golden healing light. Hold her there in that comfort and strength for a few moments. Feel the connectedness with others who are participating in this exercise. Breathe deeply. (Breathe, breathe.)
Now picture that golden light radiating from Mary to surround those she loves and enfolding them in the same comforting light and strength.
SUGGESTION: You may want to pause here and say their names.
(Breathe, breathe.)
Now picture the golden light being drawn into Mary with every breath she takes. Picture it infiltrating her body and giving her comfort and hope and strength. Picture the light being absorbed by every cell of Mary’s body. This light is only Good. Picture it banishing all darkness and disease from each cell."
SUGGESTION: At this point you may want to chant or speak something like "by the powers of all that is good and whole, we project love and healing to Mary on this day that she may conquer the disease that plagues us all. Darkness is cast out, that goodness and health may enter."
Picture Mary’s disease being spun out of her body, turned into flowers or vapors or waves of love, and dispensing into the universe. Picture your own Higher Power touching her life with love and wholeness. Spend several moments in this state of the meditation.
SUGGESTION: If your Higher Power has human form, you may want to picture Mary being cradled in His/Her hands, resting in comfort and security, much like the Allstate logo.
SUGGESTION This would also be an appropriate time to play/sing “ Harriet’s Song ”, or some other appropriate music
When you feel that you have projected all that you can or all that you wish to, then prepare to draw back into the here and now. Breathe deeply and speak words of thanks to your own Higher Power for the eternal strength of love.
Open you eyes and reorient to the present and to the plane of existence that we all walk upon in our daily lives.
SUGGESTION: At this time it would be appropriate to play and/or sing "Harriet’s Song". It would also be appropriate to break bread or celebrate our own blessings in some form."
Reprinted by permission. Written by Jenn. Posted here by paw-
In Reply to: TODAY'S THE DAY ... People, Get Ready ... posted by paw- on March 20, 2005 at 05:04:14:
Hi Everyone...I just got off the phone with Mary about 5 minutes ago...She sounds GREAT and said she feels fabulous...I updated her on all the happenings and especially the worldwide healing meditation being done for her today...
She is just amazed and ready to receive the positive energy from all of you...She and Ethan are so grateful...and she's so excited that today is the first day of Spring.
I also told her about the Virtual Flower Garden...and she said she is so moved by the good will that the group has generated over the years...
Additionally, there has been some very hopeful progress made with her treatment...and she's so excited that she'll be able to go home for a while...She sends her love to each and every one of you.
So there's much to be hopeful for as we enter this new Season of rebirth...
As you meditate and send healing vibes and thoughts to Mary Travers today, please know that she's aware of this monumental event and thanks you again and again and again....
NEEDED: ONE MAGIC DRAGON
It hasn’t yet been reported in the Chicago media, but Mary Travers, 67, of Peter, Paul & Mary is in the fight of her life against leukemia.
The news broke on the wire services Dec. 7 that she was undergoing chemotherapy “but a full remission is expected within a few months.”
Then in late January, the famed folk trio began canceling concert dates for fall of 2005, citing Travers’ health.
Travers along with Peter Yarrow and Noel Paul Stookey were among the most popular performers in the “folk boom” of the early 1960s. Their more famous recordings include “Blowin' In The Wind,” "Lemon Tree,” “Stewball,” “If I Had A Hammer,” “Day Is Done,” “Leaving On A Jet Plane” and “Puff (The Magic Dragon).”
On Feb. 22, a posting to their Web site said:
"Recently, the cancer returned and therefore (Mary) has been admitted to a hospital for further treatment. Notwithstanding this new, unwelcome, challenge, Mary's spirits are strong, her humor intact, and her determination to beat the cancer, undiminished. Keep Mary in your hearts, your thoughts and your prayers. It will make a difference-- it already has."
In early March, Travers’ friend and fellow folksinger Christine Lavin posted an appeal for messages of uplift to Travers:
"As you might know, Mary Travers of Peter Paul & Mary is in the hospital gearing up for a bone marrow transplant (six matches were found!). She will be hospitalized for at least the next six weeks. I have set up an address where you can send Mary get well wishes -- I will print them out once a week and send them over (she cannot have visitors, so this is a way to help keep her entertained).
In case you don't know, Mary is very funny, sarcastic, loves a good joke -- so if you know any good jokes, I'm sure she'd get a kick out of them."
The e-mail address is
getwellmary@aol.com
Travers also receives e-mail @
ForMary@peterpaulandmary.com
and snail mail (cards and letters only) @
Miss Mary Travers
P.O. Box 4720
Greenwich, CT 06831
My efforts to get a current health update have so far been unsuccessful, though I did reach Lavin Friday morning, and she gave me contact information for Travers’ spokesman Shelly Belusar. I will update this entry if and when I hear from Belusar.
Lavin has reported that Travers “loves” hearing from her fans, and if you’re one of them, well, now is certainly the time to let her know."
I feel a bit like a ball player hanging on third, waiting for a hit good enough to bring me home.
I'm getting as ready as I can for the transplant that we will do in another two weeks. We found a match - well, almost. Nine points out of ten. I hate to say this but it's close enough for folk music.
I want to share with all of you just how much your words of encouragement, your prayers and all of your good thoughts and wishes have meant to me. The response that we have received on our web site has been overwhelming; it's impossible to really know just how many lives have been touched by our music these past forty-four years. Now, I know that there are a lot of you out there rooting for me and that has made all the difference in this terrible time.
I feel grateful beyond words and sustained by your many voices. I'm sure that it's part of what has given me the strength to fight and the drive to sing again.
I have been a fan of Mary Travers since the early 60's and I am also a 60 yr old leukemia survivor (diagnosed in April, 2002). I can only wish her the best of luck as she takes on a very difficult task. Bone marrow transplants at her age are iffy at best.
Mary is in day + 9, since the bone marrow transplant and the good news today is that she had an upswing as her white blood cell count was observed to be increasing . . . Very good news! . . .
She's rather uncomfortable with the side effects (but no sign of the host vs graft rejection . . . knock on wood!) . . . but she knew this was part of the procedure and her doctors are just so pleased with her resilience . . .
They commented that a '20 something' going through this phase of the procedure would be in agony as there is little to offer the patient to reduce discomfort . . . but Mary understands this to be one of the steps to go through before feeling better . . . and she's dealing with it, the strong woman that she is! "
Mary was released from the hospital this week, exactly one month after the bone marrow transplant procedure, and is so happy to be home! The graft "took" and she reports that her donor marrow is making wonderful cells, ALL FOR HER!
She sends her thanks for all the wonderful messages and letters of support , encouragement and humor that have been pouring in since early December...
So, a warm, gracious hello from Mary... and she'll be sure to keep the extended PP&M family posted as to how she's doing.
I spoke with Mary today and not only does she sound terrific. She reports that she is feeling better each day.
She asked me to share with all of you that she is now at Day 58 since the transplant procedure was done and that the donor's cells have been doing their intended job. She's gaining strength and so happy to be home with her husband, Ethan, enjoying the beautiful summer weather on her patio.
She laughed with amazement when I told her that I had just mailed off the 19th notebook binder of well wishes to her. She is just so incredibly moved by the outpouring of love and concern you've shown for her.
So, a big THANK YOU and HUG from Mary, for your continuous support!
Today is Day 106 since Mary's transplant procedure, and I'm happy to report that she is feeling terrific ... and stronger than she's felt in quite a long time ... just a general overall sense of 'feelin' good'. Hooray!
Peter was able to visit her on Day 100 and sing with her for a little while; Dick and his wife have been to see her, and she and Noel have been in contact. I'm I'm sure, Presto, too!
Sally and I are planning to see her soon, and Ron, finally, she will see and perhaps even play the extraordinary harp you made for her.
She continues to enjoy and appreciate the beautiful messages of support and encouragement. I've got several books to get busy with, seeing that I was unable to receive email for a while. Ethan reitierated how she has read every single message - 22 binders have been sent since early December ...
Here we are, one year since the phenomenal Magic Dragon Society / Wolftrap experience...and how fitting that this encouraging update comes on this occasion ...
Please know how grateful Mary and the PP&M family are for the continuous support and love.
Summer is moving right along, and suddenly we're approaching the end of August! It's hard to believe that its been over eight months since we originally posted the news about Mary's diagnosis with AML
To say it has been a challenging year for the PP&M family is a major understatement, however, we're pleased to report that Mary is now past Day 100 since the bone marrow transplant procedure. She reports that she's feeling a sense of health and steadily growing strength. Additionally, she is producing healthy cells. This is certainly uplifting news worthy of celebration!
The recovery process is, of course, a slow one, but please know that Mary is so very grateful for the continuous messages of encouragement and the love you've expressed for her.
A special thank you to those who have joined the bone marrow registry and to those who already were registered prior to Mary's diagnosis.
We've already received reports that some of you have been contacted to help others in need of a transplant.
Thanks for this site. I have been a huge fan since the mid 60's.
I have spent the past year worried about the state of Mary's health and am absolutely delighted to hear how well the transplant has worked. I see that PP&M are touring again and that, to me, is thrilling.
I wish Mary all the very best. She has given hers to me!
