Music for medical bills

Newport Beach resident Samantha Smith, 16, has been busy the past few weeks teaching grade-schoolers at Newport Elementary School the words to “I’d Like to Teach the World to Sing.”

The former Newport Elementary student, who also writes and performs her own folk songs, has volunteered to start a choir for kids in second through sixth grade at the school.

“I chose ‘I’d Like to Teach the World to Sing’ because it’s me teaching the kids to sing and how great music is,” Samantha said. “It’s also a very cute message for kids to get across.”

Samantha and her choir are a few of the 27 young musical acts slated to perform at the Jammin’ for Julian concert in Costa Mesa on Saturday to benefit the family of 5-year-old Newport Beach resident Julian Dunn.

Samantha also will perform two pop folk songs she wrote herself.

Kids from preschool age through high school will perform at the event to raise money to help pay for Julian’s medical expenses.

Doctors found a golf-ball sized tumor in Julian’s brain a few weeks before Christmas. After three surgeries and a seven-week hospital stay, doctors have given Julian about an 85% chance of survival. He is still undergoing 55 weeks of chemotherapy and radiation treatments.

“It feels good to actually put our talents to good use. It’s a great way to try to help,” Samantha said. “Music is so inspiring and it’s also a great opportunity to let all of the kids perform.”

Julian is slated to start a new round of chemotherapy next week. The treatments have nasty side effects that could damage Julian’s hearing and kidneys.

Although Julian knows he’s sick, the boy is still a happy child most of the time who enjoys drawing pictures of monster trucks and hearts and pretending he’s a tiger cub, his father, Richard Dunn said.

“We take it one day at a time and accept all of the love we’ve been given,” Dunn said. “His spirit and attitude inspire me. Attitude is the only thing we really have control over in this life.”

Julian’s parents decided to organized the Jammin’ For Julian event to help pay for their mounting medical bills.

Julian doesn’t quite grasp the concept of the small army of volunteers and child performers his parents have rallied to help with his medical bills, Dunn said.

“He just knows that Jammin’ for Julian is upon us,” he said.

From people willing to give money, bake cookies or work the door to the child pianists and singers, the Dunn family has been overwhelmed with offers of help.

So much so, plans are already in the works for a second Jammin’ for Julian concert, although no date has been set yet. The Dunns hope the event will grow into an annual fundraiser to help families with sick children pay for their medical expenses.

“We’ve been blown away and humbled by the support we’ve gotten,” Dunn said. “It will be a very emotional day.”

IF YOU GO

WHAT: Jammin’ for Julian, a children’s pop concert and expo to benefit 5-year-old Julian Dunn, who is undergoing treatment for a brain tumor.

WHERE: Newport Mesa Church, 2599 Newport Blvd., Costa Mesa.

WHEN: Doors open at 2 p.m. The concert begins at 2:30 p.m.

HOW MUCH: A $15 donation per person is suggested, with a maximum donation of $60 per family.

Reporter BRIANNA BAILEY may be reached at (714) 966-4625 or at [email protected].