Name
Eugenie Hsu

Age Group (If you are a caregiver/family member please check Caregiver/Family Member)
Caregiver/Family Member

Category
Performing Arts

Artist Statement (include type of art, techniques & materials used, what it means to you)
This song, More Than Words, was originally composed and recorded by the artist group Extreme. I rewrote the lyrics and recorded my vocals using GarageBand and used a karaoke track for the guitar accompaniment. I put the recording to relevant photos to produce the simple video on iMovie.

I was inspired to write the new lyrics because the original title reminded me of the “thoughts and prayers” platitudes uttered after mass shootings and other senseless gun violence. Like many, I am outraged by the moral failure of those lawmakers who enable the killings to continue through their inaction.

As someone who enjoys writing, singing, playing music, drawing and painting,
I know that musical and other creative expression are powerful ways to convey emotions and to move people towards action in a way that mere verbal persuasion cannot. And like the song conveys, I believe that more than words are needed to live up to our professed values.

Bio (include your age, tumor type and date of diagnosis)
I am the caregiver to my son who was diagnosed with a craniopharyngioma when he was eight years old. He is 20 years old now.

I believe in taking action to do what I can to help brain tumor survivors and their families. I am honored to serve as the board chairperson for the Raymond A. Wood Foundation.