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PEOPLE Depression tougher than cancer After 12 surgeries and the removal of the muscles around his jaw to remove tongue cancer Dr David Shumka began to fall victim to depres sion before he rediscovered his love for playing piano Music helped doctor struggle through dark days Story by Teresa Latchford Photography by Susie Kockerscheidt Music pulled Dr David Shumka back from the edge After graduating from the University of Toronto specializing in anesthesi ology the Newmarket resident built his career around working at teach ing and community hospitals in the Greater Toronto Area including Southlake Regional Health Centre and was awarded for his excellence in teaching by students and staff However in 1999 Dr Shumka was diagnosed with tongue cancer I knew what cancer was and I was prepared for the physical pain he said What I didnt understand was the mental aspect the depres sion that would come with it After 12 surgeries and the removal of the muscles around his jaw Dr Shumka began to fall victim to the loneliness and helplessness of depression His doctors told him on more than one occasion to get his affairs in order and for seven years he wasnt sure if he would live or die He wasnt sure he wanted to live tire It wasnt the cancer that almost killed me he said leaning forward in his seat It was the depression He believes there are two ways to die physically and soulfully He admits he was empty swal lowed up by the darkness and hid ing under the covers of his bed for days on end not wanting to face the world I was on the edge he said I felt empty hopeless and lost But a few years ago his cancer went into remission He hadnt touched his piano in seven years which he has played since he was three under his par ents guidance His passion for life and survival returned once he made the quick decision to throw up the top of his piano and begin reliving his passion his fingers glid ing effortlessly over the ivory keys Music was the only thing that pulled me back from that edge he said When you can pour your energy into something creative you know you are realty living life Rediscovering the music he cov eted in the past gave him the cour- SONGBIRD SOUNDS WHAT SongBirds a musical event to benefit the mental health initiatives asso ciated with the Stronaeh Regional Cancer Centre at Southlake WHEN March 2 pm matinee pm gala reception and 8 pm evening performance WHERE Newmarket Theatre 505 Pickering Cres WHO An arrangement of local talent INFORMATION Contact the Newmar ket Theatre box office at age to visit various establishments and participate in jam sessions in the area and he soon came to the conclusion there was an immense amount of quality talent The music inspired him to com bine bis passion for music with the experience of recovering from his ill ness to give back to the community I thought Why not use the local talent for a fundraiser he said Thats how SongBirds was bom will bring together more than 20 musicians vocalists and bands that would not nor mally perform together to raise funds for the mental health ini tiatives affiliated with the Stro- nach Regional Cancer Centre at Southlake Regional Health Cen tre Mental health is such a large part of recovering that a lot of people dont know about he said Having that kind of support is so important This wont be the first time he has pulled on the strings of the musically gifted He is the founder of Life Beat a registered charity that recruits health care professionals who are musically gifted to raise funds for medical research Since its inception in the organiza tion has raised more than 1 mil lion His love of music emerged at a young age as he listened to his mother and father play He gets ENCOUNTER A NEW AUTO MIDDAYiLUBEaOILflFILTER conventional Lubric SERVICE HOURS 7 309 Sat 7306 Sun 95 FREE WIPER BLADE INSTALLATION nothing less than excited to share his passion with others and is a member in about four local bands He also teaches piano and guitar free of charge I do it just for fun he said I cant sing for obvious reasons but I can help singers too Neil Numminen has come to know Dr Shumka during the past year and is proud to be involved in the production of SongBirds with a man he identifies as a creative spirit I would describe him as ener getic determined and very orga nized he said sitting in the Shum ka family living room He has cer tainly inspired me and others The proud father of two doesnt just have a talent with instruments he also is a whiz i nthe kitchen I just love to cook I know what goes well with what he said adjusting his apron I dont even use any recipes He has been cooking for as long as he has been playing the piano learning from his grandmother and mother when he was younger CAR WASH with any auto service purchase ever S200 before taxes See store for details