All Are Our Heroes

Song project sparks a worldwide following to bring a message of faith, hope and encouragement to those touched by cancer

LAWRENCEVILLE -- What began as a single song inspired by Gwinnett’s Relay for Life celebration is fast becoming an anthem and cause for all those touched by cancer, rallying a worldwide following of thousands committed to fight the disease and find a cure.

All Are Our Heroes was first written by David Greer, a local media and marketing entrepreneur. He soon brought in young Rachel Farley as a co-writer and singer, and the two collaborated on what is proving to be a magical piece of work.

The song is already the touchpoint for the All Are Our Heroes Facebook Group, more than 4,000 strong and growing hourly, with members from more than 40 states and from as far away as Guam and Austria. The song will soon be available for download, with all proceeds benefiting the American Cancer Society.

“The mission is to bring people around the world together to inspire participation and support for cancer advocacy, prevention and research,” plans Greer. “I'm a dreamer and if you're going to dream, dream big.”

Inspired by Battles Unspoken, Triumphs Unknown
“All Are Our Heroes -- that's what I thought. I reflected on the faces of the people I see walking in the Survivor’s Walk at our local Relay for Life. Young, old, man, woman and child -- their battles unspoken, their triumphs unknown. Some people smile at life's darkest hour,” says Greer, whose thoughts quickly became lyrics.

Greer, along with his wife Kelly, is the founder and publisher of Gwinnett Magazine, and president of Tillman Allen Greer, a marketing and media firm based in Lawrenceville. For many years, they’ve been committed supporters of the American Cancer Society and Gwinnett’s Relay for Life. Gwinnett Magazine has featured cover stories and “profiles in courage” of cancer survivors to help educate, celebrate and support the vital work done in our community.

Rachel, just 13 and from Lawrenceville, is an up-and-coming country music artist, who folks in-the-know believe will one day be a household name. “I still cry when she sings it,” says Greer. “Hearing the words sung with such emotion and identifying with the lyrics just honors and memorializes all the people I thought about when I initially wrote it.”

Within days, the song was introduced to enthusiastic officials from the Gwinnett unit of the American Cancer Society (ACS). Weeks later, state and regional ACS leadership gave a listen – and their wholehearted support.

Telling Stories of Courage & Survivorship
Greer has rallied creative talents inside his firm and within the music industry to the cause. Tillman Allen Greer is donating professional time and talent to bring both the song and the stories of the heroes it represents to the public in a host of ways. A documentary featuring the song and interviews with many remarkable Gwinnett cancer survivors is now in production. Those interviews will also be featured in Gwinnett Magazine and the survivors – of all ages and from all walks of life -- will be followed throughout the year, in print and online.

While thousands are embracing the project online, Greer, Rachel and some generous – and talented -- friends have been in the recording studio to bring All Are Our Heroes to life.

Singer-songwriter Shawn Mullins, Grammy nominated for his number one hit Lullaby, joined the Heroes team to produce the song. In early February, Mullins brought his band into Tree Sound Studios in Norcross; Tree Leaf Music is donating studio time for the project. Joining Mullins and Rachel were some inspirational back-up singers – six young childhood cancer survivors who add their voices to the song’s ending chorus.

Corporate and business leaders are also joining the dream, with their support enabling a broader reach for the effort. The first presenting sponsor is Gary Martin Hays and Associates. Other sponsors include Allgood Pest Solutions, Primerica, Tree Leaf Music and Suburban Hemotology-Oncology Associates, plus numerous others who’ve donated professional services.

Beginning March 25, the song will be available for download. From that effort alone, Greer's goal is to raise $1 million to fight cancer.

Walking with Heroes
On May 8, plans are for Rachel to step onstage at Gwinnett’s Relay for Life at the Gwinnett County Fairgrounds to perform All Are Our Heroes live, just as the luminary ceremony gets underway. As she sings, and as they walk, the thousands gathered will see – and remember – the heroes the song brings to life.

It’s an event Greer looks forward to, but it is just one milestone in a personal commitment without an end-date. “I don’t know what the ultimate outcome will be. I just know with certainty that I’ve got to be walking down this path.”

Visit AllAreOurHeroes.com to support the heroes and join the dreamers.

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