TERRE HAUTE — Country music singer and inspirational speaker Kevin Sharp said the one thing he wanted audience members to take away with them was a message of hope.
He wants them to realize “there’s always hope in their life. It’s probably the most valuable gift we’re given on this earth.”
Sharp, of California, told his story of beating Ewings Sarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer. At one point, the doctors thought he had only months to live.
A few dozen people in the Hatfield Hall Theater at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology attended the show.
He also performed a few of his chart-topping songs such as “Nobody Knows” and “She’s Sure Taking It Well” Tuesday night.
During Sharp’s two year battle with cancer, he was able to meet producer/performer David Foster courtesy of the Make A Wish Foundation, which later helped him get started in the country music industry.
Although it was a tough time, Sharp said he learned many things that he wouldn’t have learned any other way during his fight.
“This life, I’ll tell ya there’s no other way to say it, but simply say it sucks sometimes, downright sucks,” Sharp told the audience, “but the good thing of that is I’ll tell ya, it’s worth it.”
Rose-Hulman freshman Elaine Houston, who had heard of Sharp prior to attending the show, said the music was her favorite part, but took the message “to go on and live every day” away with her.
The show was free to the public, but donations for the Make a Wish Foundation were accepted at the door.
Members of the Student Activities Board had been fundraising for the organization last week by organizing a coin war between the school’s various departments. Prior to counting Tuesday night’s donations, the group had already raised more than $2,200.
Along with the office of career services, the Student Activities Board was responsible for bringing Sharp to campus.
Kevin Hewerdine, Rose-Hulman director of career services and employee relations, said Sharp was a good person to perform on campus because he felt Sharp’s message would be good for the student body.
With some of the grade pressures and stress students face, “sometimes an added boost is needed,” Hewerdine said.
He hopes the message students take to heart is “overcoming adversity when things aren’t going as well as maybe you would hope … There’s an opportunity to know there’s always going to be a brighter day than today.”
Crystal Garcia can be reached at (812)231-4271 or crystal.garcia@tribstar.com.
• Country music singer who has had several chart-toppers.
• Inspirational speaker who uses the story of him beating cancer to inspire audiences.
Bacteria Keep Swimmers Off Some Fla. Beaches
Raw Video: Kim Jong Il Statue Unveiled
Authorities: Houston Found Underwater in Tub
Raw Video: Houston Body Flown From L.A. to N.J.
Raw Video: Hearse Arrives at N.J. Funeral Home
Police: Houston Found Under Water, Unconscious
Arm Wrestler Not Guilty Plea in Wife's Death
Raw Video: Whitney Houston's Last Performance
Trial Opens for Ala. Man in Bride's Diving Death
First Person: Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show
Obama's New Budget: The Winners and Losers
Reaction to Houston's Death at Clive Davis Party
Sandusky Can See Grandkids, Have Local Jury
Coroner: Don't Know Houston's Cause of Death Yet
ShowBiz Minute: Houston, Grammys, BAFTAs
Obama Unveils $3.8 Trillion Budget
And the Winner for Best Super Bowl Ad Is...
Raw Video: Israeli Embassy Car Attacked
Grohl, Grammy Nominees Cut Up on the Red Carpet
Gregoire: Marriage Equality Is Right for Wash.
Sports Illustrated Cover Leaked
Swimmer makes surprise marriage proposal in Mo.
Whitney Houston Funeral Arrangements Set
Scarlett Johansson's Bikini P-D-A
Bayne ready to defend 500
Man Allegedly Drowns Wife While Scuba Diving
The 'Celebrity Apprentice' Cast Meets Donald Trump
Wash. becomes 7th state to okay same-sex marriage
Romijn's 60 Pound Weight Loss
Kissing contest heats up
Hugh Hefner's Son Arrested
Jacqueline Kennedy's personal papers released
Did Tyler Perry Have a Secret Wedding?
Baltimore's 'Crime Stopper' Is a Basketball Star
Iran denies Israeli embassy bombings
'Bachelor' Free Falls into the Ocean
Facebook Parenting: Father Posts Video Responding to Daughter's Post
Bobby Brown on Houston's Death
