Cancer gets the beatdown from drumSTRONG 

Charlotte needs a little Woodstock. A little lunatic fringe on that starched collar.

Well, turns out we've got our Woodstock -- it's called drumSTRONG; it's an event both more modest and more ambitious than that legendary celebration of music and peace in 1969, with smaller crowds, less hype and greater hope. In lieu of drugs and sex and rock 'n' roll, drumSTRONG has a battle plan, a battalion of drummers and a cause. And rock 'n' roll.

drumSTRONG is a ritual engagement of souls gathered together in a drum circle. They come to sound off a rhythmic recognition of cancer, to offer strategies for comfort and care, and a summons to end the blight. The event is a weekend hub for cancer health resources, cancer societies and private practices. Sponsors and vendors pitch services and wares under tents stretched over a pastoral horse farm setting, wrapped within a 28-hour drum beat.

The message here is hope and survival and tenacity. The path offered to understanding is information, support and proactive community engagement. The drum beat forewarns us the train is a'comin', announces the train is here, and proclaims the train, some day, will leave the station forever.

drumSTRONG 2010 rallies the troops for the fourth year at Misty Meadows Farms in Weddington on Saturday, May 15. The army is growing. The inaugural crowd in '07 numbered 600, last year 1,100 arrived, and this year Founder, President and Chief Drumskin Scott Swimmer anticipates 3,000 strong. Meteorologist and dancer to a different drummer Larry Sprinkle will emcee the event. Sprinkle told me of the hundreds of events he has emcee'd, none has been as unique than drumSTRONG..

"The beautiful farm setting, the continual background drum beats, the spirit of hope and healing...there's something special going on there."

The drumming will last 28 hours non-stop, from noon Saturday through Sunday at 4 p.m. This will be the longest continuous rhythm ensemble on record. Concurrent events will be happening in 47 venues in 13 countries, including drumSTRONG Seattle, Rome, Tokyo, Cairo, Maui, Dubai, Dublin and 40 others. Many events will be simulcast at the Weddington event.

Swimmer is transparently passionate about his creation. He's worn the hats of promoter, choreographer, facilitator, coach and confidant, fundraiser and noodge to the rich and beneficent for years. He's worn the same black logo emblazoned monkey-with-bongo shirt, every day, for four years.

The idea of drumSTRONG began with the Swimmer family's flight back from Lance Armstrong's Ride for the Roses in Austin, Texas in 2006.

In 2004, 15-year-old Mason Swimmer was diagnosed with osteosarcoma (bone) cancer in his right leg. Through chemo and multiple reconstructive surgeries, Mason suffered and survived. He now thrives with a notch on his belt and a hitch in his gait. Part of Mason's recovery came in part in the form of an invitation from Armstrong to peddle beside him on the charity ride with team LIVESTRONG. Armstrong's invite was a thrill for Mason. He extended that thrill to his family by showing them he could ride the 45 miles only 10 months after surgery.

The Swimmers' LIVESTRONG experience sparked the drumSTRONG idea. The event was fueled through Mason's splendid ride and defiant spirit, his father's recognition of that spirit, and their mutual resolve to bring something positive from the unexpected ordeal. The idea first became drumbeat at noon on May 3, 2007 at Misty Meadows Farm.

Swimmer describes the event as a "multicultural, rhythm-based gathering that provides space for cancer health resources (traditional and integrative), cancer societies and private practices, and a 28-hour drum circle." Among the 45 exhibitors displaying missions and methods at this year's event are Levine Children's Hospital, Carolina Breast Friends, Susan G. Komen, The Ronald McDonald House of Charlotte, Greenfield Integrative Health, I(2)y (aka I'm Too Young for This) and 35 others

David Drum is a social worker here in Charlotte. Four years ago he picked up a flyer in a bagel shop, played in the original circle, and has volunteered ever since. When I asked Drum to explain the concept of "Drum Circle Facilitator" he told me about Arthur Hull, the godfather of facilitators, and a perennial drumSTRONG volunteer: "Arthur Hull practices an in-the-moment drumming method. He has a talent for getting drummers at every level to take hand to drum skin and summons and release and deliver the spirit."

Deliver what spirit where?

"Uhm, a spirit of hope and healing ... and strength to survivors and sufferers, and to those close to them ... and to fellow drummers. I know it sounds new-agey, but it's palpable and real, and for me, undeniable."

Why come? Come to look over, learn about, and help fight a blight that has affected, in some form or fashion -- through family, friends or outrageous fortune, everyone reading this. Come to look into the eyes of remission and resistance; give yourself a jolt of species pride. Come to beat a tom-tom, a bongo or drywall bucket.

Cancer is sometimes a death sentence, sometimes not. Sometimes crippling, sometimes not so much. Cancer is always a life-changer. drumSTRONG throws a spotlight on the beast, illuminates and shrinks our unknowing born in darkness, and sounds the 28-hour collective heartbeat bent on knowing, controlling and overcoming our fear.

My buddy Mike Hogan will come home from Duke hospital today. He's got AML -- a form of leukemia no drugs or radiation or stem cell replacements can touch. He received an honest, open-palmed, explanation from high echelon medical soldiers at the frontlines. As I write this, he rides from Durham.

Swimmer sent Hogan a personal invite to join the circle, man a drum, and be a part of the collective message of hope and defiance and support. I plan to take my friend out there, and if he can't make it, I'll man his drum.

Join us. Drive out Providence Road south until you get to Weddington. Roll down your windows, turn the radio off and follow the thrum in your ribcage.

Registration for drumSTRONG is $25, or $50 for families. Visit www.drumstrong.org for more information.