Cancer survivor treats patients with her gift of song

Elaine Greenberg continues work to raise spirits of those going through difficult times

DETROIT – Shortly after being diagnosed with ovarian cancer, local songbird Elaine Greenberg discovered that her gift of music could heal her own soul.

"Getting diagnosed, obviously everybody is in a state of shock," Greenberg said. "That's all you think about is, 'Am I going to get through this? How am I going to get through this?' and you do it one step at a time. In my case, I used a lot of music and began realizing that I could use my music to help others."

Greenberg, a retired piano teacher and vocal coach, began visiting cancer centers and entertaining patients who were going through treatment.

"How did you figure out that singing could help other people?" asked Mitch Albom.

"I would perform every week and I am beginning to look at people and realizing, 'Wow, I am having a good time singing, but they are having a good time listening to me.' I don't care if you can sing or not or even carry a tune, but there is something about singing," Greenberg said.

"(It) makes you feel good," Albom said.

"And I don't know who gets more out of it, Mitch -- me or the people I am working with," Greenberg said.

After 15 years of being cancer free, Greenberg continues her work to raise the spirits of those going through difficult times. She brings gift bags with gifts created by survivors. She performs some of her favorite songs and, most importantly, she listens.

"I was spared because I have something I have to do. I have a mission," Greenberg said.

Proving that music can heal the soul, Greenberg is treating patients with her gift of song in the heart of Detroit.

Heart of Detroit