2009 Australian Idol Stan Walker Joins Sony Foundation
Australia’s newest Idol, Stan Walker, has joined Sony Foundation as an official ambassador. The singer will aid in raising the profile of the Foundation as they take their innovative youth programs into the public domain.
For Stan, who has a family history of cancer, the Foundation’s latest campaign to build specialised cancer wards for 15-30 year olds is of particular significance.
“This cause is so close to my heart,” says Stan. “Out of my grandmother’s 22 children, 18 have died from cancer. My cousin passed away from cancer last year, he was only 17. It was heartbreaking and the fact he was sharing a ward with old people made it worse. I feel privileged to be able to support the Sony Foundation in this important campaign.”
One in 100 Australians is diagnosed with cancer before the age of 30 and in the last 25 years there has been virtually no improvement in survival outcomes for the 15 to 30 age group. Sony Foundation, along with charity partner CanTeen, is determined to provide teenage and young adult cancer sufferers with the specialised services they deserve.
For Stan Walker – using his new found success to do good is a priority. “My win is so much bigger than me,” he says. “It’s for everyone who has ever done it tough”.
Stan joins a host of high-profile ambassadors including Socceroo stars Lucas Neill and Tim Cahill who have dedicated their time, energy and public profile to help the Foundation achieve its mission to assist Australia’s youth and foster their talents.
Dr Louise Messara, Executive Director, Sony Foundation, said “we are delighted to welcome Stan to the Sony Foundation family as an official ambassador. He captivated the public not only with his enormous talent but also with his big heart, honesty and colourful character. In many ways, Stan is the embodiment of what Sony Foundation stands for.”
It’s an exciting time for Stan whose first single, Black Box, hit number one on the iTunes track chart ahead of industry veterans Jay-Z and Black Eyed Peas. His debut album, Introducing… Stan Walker will be in stores from Tuesday December 8, and will feature Stan’s Australian Idol journey through the final 12 including re-recorded studio tracks of some of his amazing performances on the show; Purple Rain, The Climb, Ordinary People and Superstar, as well 2 brand new songs, Think of Me and his winning single, Black Box.
The public can get involved in Sony Foundation’s campaign through “Buy-a-Builder”. This fundraising mechanism asks people to buy a customisable virtual builder (or avatar) and help to build real cancer wards. Buy-a-Builder is accessible via website, mobile phone or by purchasing a donation card in store at Sony Centres.
All mechanisms drive supporters of the initiative to the website www.buyabuilder.com.au. This site, set up as a virtual construction site, allows the public to create a unique ‘virtual brickie’ or ‘virtual chippie’ etc, in their own image.
These builders will then join the army of supporters, whose donations are contributing to building teenage and young adult cancer wards around the country.
