Unanticipated Gratitudes Unfold in Cancer Center Lobby
Dr. Luis Mendez, a dentist from Mexico, has found a unique way to provide comfort and solace to cancer patients at the Wilmot Cancer Center in Rochester, NY. His story is a captivating blend of medicine and music, two worlds that often intersect in unexpected ways.
Recently, Dr. Mendez was gifted a Winkelmann Braunschweig 1837 piano by his friend, Lucille Muench, who was moving to Virginia. This historical piano, possibly from the 19th century, has become a cherished addition to Dr. Mendez's home and his heart.
Before his move to Rochester, Dr. Mendez was selling his piano. However, fate had other plans. Moved by a stranger playing the piano in the Wilmot Cancer Center lobby, Harley Bowman, a patient who had recently undergone surgery, was touched by the melodies that filled the air. The stranger was none other than Dr. Mendez himself.
Harley was so moved that he hired movers to transport the piano to Dr. Mendez's home. Since then, Dr. Mendez has been sharing his musical talents with the patients at the cancer center, playing pieces like Via Dolarosa, an arrangement by Kartsonakis, for Lucille and her friends.
Dr. Mendez plays the piano not just for the love of music, but as a means to escape stress and find peace. His performances often move patients to tears, and some have even shared that his music was their first gift after receiving cancer-free news.
For Dr. Mendez, his piano playing at the Cancer Center is a ministry. He shares stories about his family, his love for piano, his decision to become a dentist, and even shows photos of his children.
One of Lucille's friends, who went to school with the famous Christian piano star, Dino Kartsonakis, shared her connection with the renowned musician, adding another layer of intrigue to Dr. Mendez's musical journey.
As the story of Dr. Mendez and his piano continues to unfold, it serves as a reminder of the power of music to heal and bring comfort in times of need. For those interested in learning more about this remarkable story, local media, cancer center publications, and social media platforms are great places to start.
- Dr. Mendez's musical talents, showcased through pieces like Via Dolarosa, offer a unique form of solace for cancer patients during their medical-conditions, acting as a comforting escape from stress.
- In his performances at the Wilmot Cancer Center, Dr. Mendez frequently shares anecdotes about his family, his love for piano, and his career choice as a dentist, fostering a sense of connection with his audience.
- The historical Winkelmann Braunschweig 1837 piano, a gift from Lucille Muench, has become an essential part of Dr. Mendez's health-and-wellness routine, providing him with a means to maintain mental-health and find peace amidst his work in science and medicine.
- Dr. Mendez's music has been influential in the lives of cancer patients, some even viewing it as their first gift upon receiving cancer-free news, underscoring the power of music in entertainment and its therapeutic benefits.
