Raffi

Subject: Raffi
From: GUEST,Andrea Hall
Date: 15 Jul 00 - 04:18 PM

I am looking for assistance in a very special project. I am a nurse in Syracuse, New York. I work with a chronically/most likely terminally ill young boy who absolutely adores Raffi. Darren has an extremely rare genetic defect that is causing him to age prematurely, has stopped his growth, impaired his intellectual facilities and is causing him to rapidly lose his hearing and sight, as well as the deterioration of many other of his physical systems.

I truly believe that if Darren were not handicapped he would have musical talent as well as intellectual prowess. Music is his love. He sits with his guitar or recorder and 'plays' along with his Raffi videos. Although already profoundly deaf he does hear well enough with the volume turned up all the way to have learned many of the songs on his tapes (he has them all!) and often spontaneously sings parts of them well enough for them to be recognizable. His speech is deteriorating but one word that consistently comes through loud and clear is 'Raffi'.

I will be purchasing tickets to Raffi's Town Hall concert for Darren, his parents and myself. This, along with a place to stay overnight, is my gift to him. But there is more that I would like to do. And that is where I need help!

I am looking for some way that Darren could meet Raffi one on one either before or after the show? I have had no luck thus far contacting any of his staff. Any assistance you can give me would be very much appreciated.

Andrea Hall [e-mail]

Subject: RE: Raffi
From: GUEST,Goodwill Hunting
Date: 15 Jul 00 - 06:15 PM

This is a bit of a long shot, but I would suggest the following.

Contact ACTRA (the Canadian Actors Union), because anyone recording and doing televison in Canada has to be a member.)

They are notorious for giving out home phone numbers of famous Canadian people and celebs.

When you call them, don't tell them the info you have posted here. Instead tell them you are interested in booking him for a large children's event and are trying to reach him.

They will either give you his home phone number in British Columbia, or give you the number of his management, and then, you can plead your case.

ACTRA'S number is: [phone]
His full name is Raffi Cavoukian.
Best of luck and let us know how it works out.

Subject: RE: Raffi
From: GUEST,Andrea Hall
Date: 15 Jul 00 - 06:56 PM

Thank you...I will do so & get back to you. Probably best to wait until Monday!

Subject: RE: Raffi
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 15 Jul 00 - 07:50 PM

I had a scout round the net and found this site with an email link to his record company -the email address being [e-mail]

And here is another page about him. (And I see his birthday was July 8th 1948)

And here is an address to a Toronto based site where you might maybe find people who'd be on the same wavelength as you, and Toronto is apparently Raffi's home town. So who knows?

I'm afraid I've never heard of Raffi or heard him - but he sounds as if he's pretty OK.

Anyway, good luck to Darren and to you.

Subject: RE: Raffi
From: GUEST
Date: 16 Jul 00 - 12:03 AM

You might try the Make A Wish Foundation, which provides wishes for children with terminal illnesses. One reads stories of such things a lot, where a child wants to meet a certain celebrity and the foundation arranges it. They should certainly be able to reach Raffi. I'd think you could just ask information for the phone number. Almost every state has its own branch. The web site is:

Subject: RE: Raffi
From: GUEST,Giac, not at home
Date: 16 Jul 00 - 12:05 AM

Oops, sorry, it didn't work. I'm out of it tonight. Anyhow, without the clicky - the web site is:

www.wish.org

Best of luck to you and the little fella,

Giac

Subject: RE: Raffi
From: Mrrzy
Date: 16 Jul 00 - 01:33 PM

Andrea Hall, please do let us know how this goes. From what I hear about Raffi, he would not miss this opportunity, he's a wonderful soul. Not surprised to hear he's from Toronto, they harboured me lost once in the most matter-of-fact way, reminds me of what I read about Halifax.

Also, McGrath of Harlow, you are in for a treat when you finally see a Raffi video or hear a tape.

Subject: RE: Raffi
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 16 Jul 00 - 07:04 PM

Refreshing!