"Jack" shows McMahon's journey
Anna Clay
Issue date: 11/13/09 Section: Arts & Entertainment
Back in 2005, musician Andrew McMahon had a camera ready to document his journey with his new band, Jack's Mannequin. During the band's first headlining tour that same year, McMahon visited a doctor with a few seemingly minor health concerns and received a shocking diagnosis. The 22-year-old songwriter's bloodwork revealed that he had Acute Lymphatic Leukemia. The day his new album "Everything in Transit" was completed, Andrew was hospitalized and his camera suddenly had a new purpose-to document his struggle with cancer. These recordings were released Nov. 3 as a DVD entitled "Dear Jack."
The name "Dear Jack" comes from a song McMahon wrote about a friend's brother who battled cancer as a young child. "Dear Jack" also became a name for the cancer research foundation that McMahon founded in July 2006, which has since raised over $250,000. A portion of the proceeds from every DVD sale goes to the foundation.
The documentary is an extremely personal look at McMahon's journey during his Leukemia treatment. His camera was a way for him to talk about what he was going through; it was a friend that was always there to listen.
"I don't think we ever intended for other people to see it, especially considering the nature of what was shot," McMahon told Spin Magazine, "But I think along the way we realized that having a window into that world from a first-person perspective might be of some value."
This look into the life of a cancer patient is heart-wrenching and powerful. It is eye-opening to those who have never had any experiences with cancer, and something relatable for those who have. It features an always-optimistic McMahon talking about what he was going through, a look at the different medical procedures he endured and interviews with the loved ones who watched him suffer.
The video provides a source of hope for those experiencing the challenges of life. During McMahon's battle with cancer, he still found reasons to smile and laugh. He stayed strong, insisting he would get through it. At one point in the film he proclaims, "We're just going to go to war on this shit." He was ready for a battle, and would not let cancer win.
After receiving a stem cell transplant from his sister, Kate, McMahon was on his way to recovery. He eventually returned to his passion: music. He wrote a new album, "The Glass Passenger" and began touring again. In Oct. he went on a short solo tour in support of "Dear Jack" and played both Jack's Mannequin songs, as well as songs from his old band, Something Corporate. One stop of the tour was at Philadelphia's World Café Live, where he delivered a passionate performance. His set list included songs from the "Dear Jack" EP, created to accompany the documentary.
The EP was released as an iTunes exclusive and the documentary can also be purchased there, as well as on dearjackfoundation.com and other online retailers. It is well worth buying, because in addition to helping the Dear Jack Foundation fund cancer research, the viewer gets an invaluable look at cancer's effect on an individual's life.
The name "Dear Jack" comes from a song McMahon wrote about a friend's brother who battled cancer as a young child. "Dear Jack" also became a name for the cancer research foundation that McMahon founded in July 2006, which has since raised over $250,000. A portion of the proceeds from every DVD sale goes to the foundation.
The documentary is an extremely personal look at McMahon's journey during his Leukemia treatment. His camera was a way for him to talk about what he was going through; it was a friend that was always there to listen.
"I don't think we ever intended for other people to see it, especially considering the nature of what was shot," McMahon told Spin Magazine, "But I think along the way we realized that having a window into that world from a first-person perspective might be of some value."
This look into the life of a cancer patient is heart-wrenching and powerful. It is eye-opening to those who have never had any experiences with cancer, and something relatable for those who have. It features an always-optimistic McMahon talking about what he was going through, a look at the different medical procedures he endured and interviews with the loved ones who watched him suffer.
The video provides a source of hope for those experiencing the challenges of life. During McMahon's battle with cancer, he still found reasons to smile and laugh. He stayed strong, insisting he would get through it. At one point in the film he proclaims, "We're just going to go to war on this shit." He was ready for a battle, and would not let cancer win.
After receiving a stem cell transplant from his sister, Kate, McMahon was on his way to recovery. He eventually returned to his passion: music. He wrote a new album, "The Glass Passenger" and began touring again. In Oct. he went on a short solo tour in support of "Dear Jack" and played both Jack's Mannequin songs, as well as songs from his old band, Something Corporate. One stop of the tour was at Philadelphia's World Café Live, where he delivered a passionate performance. His set list included songs from the "Dear Jack" EP, created to accompany the documentary.
The EP was released as an iTunes exclusive and the documentary can also be purchased there, as well as on dearjackfoundation.com and other online retailers. It is well worth buying, because in addition to helping the Dear Jack Foundation fund cancer research, the viewer gets an invaluable look at cancer's effect on an individual's life.
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