Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Video showing University of Wisconsin marching band playing for cancer survivor on her last day of chemotherapy goes viral

Video has been watched over one million times, and shared almost 20,000, in under four days

Aftab Ali
Friday 24 July 2015 08:13 EDT
Comments
(via YouTube)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

When Ann Trachtenberg teased her niece by saying she’d want to leave hospital to a marching band playing on her last day of gruelling chemotherapy treatment, little did she know her joke would become a reality.

Walking out of the University of Wisconsin’s Carbone Cancer Centre with her niece this week, Ms Trachtenberg was stunned to be faced with the university’s marching band.

Striking-up a lively tune, it came to light that Ms Trachtenberg’s niece was the one who decided to contact the university’s Badger Band.

Breaking down into tears during the performance, Ms Trachtenberg hugged one of the students in the band at the end and thanked them.

The video has since gone viral, having been viewed over a million times and shared by almost 20,000 people.

Ms Trachtenberg was overwhelmed by the reaction to her leaving the centre (via YouTube)
Ms Trachtenberg was overwhelmed by the reaction to her leaving the centre (via YouTube)

The director of the band, Mike Leckrone, told The Washington Post the band has a close relationship with the centre and that they’ve been known to do similar performances for elderly citizens and during visiting hours, as well as taking part in fundraising activities for patients too.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in