This is one of those special moments that proves that human spirit is still existing, and forgive me for going a little bit overboard, but, we are stronger when we come together for a cause that matters, aren’t we?
Jane Marczewski, who performs professionally as Nightbirde, first gained wide recognition for the beautiful and moving performance of her original song “It’s OK” on the stage of America’s Got Talent. Her performance, and her charming smile, moved Simon Cowell so much that he awarded the singer a golden buzzer. Her celebration of the moment was very heartwarming that it gave hope to many people around the world.
If this beautiful 30-year-old woman from Zanesville could happily chase and celebrate her dreams while battling with cancer from which she has a 2% survival rate, then why can’t I do the same? By living her dreams, Nightbirde unconsciously inspired hundreds of people, and now her fans and supporters are banding together to give her a fighting chance so that she can continue to shine.
Nightbirde’s Supporters Remarkably Respond To The Singer’s Pleas
It was a dream come true for Nightbirde, who began performing in 2019, to be able to make it through to the rounds of AGT. This victory was shortly followed by a sad announcement that she had withdrawn from the talent competition as a result of her health, which had gotten worse.
While it was sad for her fans and supporters, anyone can imagine that it’s sadder for her. To be able to start living the dream and then you can’t and you don’t have a say on it is scary, but the singer/songwriter, always optimistic, promised that she’ll be back to keep living her dreams. “Pretty beat up, but I’ve still got dreams.”
She was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2017. It was the first of three recurrent cancer diagnoses. In 2019, doctors told her that she had 3 to 6 months to live.
At the time of her performance on AGT, she was suffering from some cancer in her lungs, spine and liver, but she bravely said: “It’s important that everyone knows I’m so much more than the bad things that happen to me.”
A few days after she announced her exit from the show, she started a GoFundMe page in June where she pleaded with her supporters to help cover medical expenses with a prior goal of $30,000. As of Saturday, over $400,000 has been raised.
“We are confident that the same cancer treatments as before will yield the same amazing results, and I’m calling on you for some help once again, as they’re not covered by my insurance,” she wrote on the page. “It pains me to ask again for money, but I ask as Moses did when he needed water, and he spoke to the rock; as the friend banging on his neighbor’s door asking for bread in the night. Not because I am entitled to your help, but because I desperately need it.”
Nightbirde On Planning Her Future And Continuing To Follow Her Dreams
On Wednesday night, Nightbirde appeared on CNN with Chris Cuomo and shared how she keeps on keeping on despite the challenges and obstacles on her way. Though she discussed the sad specifics of her condition, her message was a very positive one.
“I got shocking news less than a week ago about cancer regrowth that has taken over my lungs and liver. So my liver right now is mostly cancer. More cancer than liver in there right now,” Marczewski said. “But like I said, I’m planning my future, not my legacy. Some people would call that blind denial. I prefer to call it rebellious hope. And I’m not stopping anytime soon.”
When asked about how she keeps her optimism up, she replied: “When you go through something that is so devastating, makes no sense, there are no answers, you kind of have the choice, like, am I going to become bitter, or am I not?”
“You do have a choice, you know. You do get to decide what becomes of you in a sense and, you know, I’ve decided in my most painful moments to keep my eyes open because it’s easier. It’s easier to close your eyes and to give up and forget it but there is so much beauty and poetry to be seen in the world if you’re willing to sign off on the pain that it takes to stay awake in the middle of something that hurts so bad, that’s all this is. Anybody can do it.”
When, and not if, she does make it through her treatment, she’ll be making an incredible record to share with the world.
“I believe my story is far from over, and I just need a little more to get through to the other side. I love you, and thank you for being heroes in my story.”
Her AGT audition, uploaded on YouTube June 8, has been viewed over 30 million times.
Be sure to catch up on everything happening with Nightbirde right now