DESPITE being a stage four lymphoma cancer patient, singer Elyana Emrizal is excited for her upcoming concert in July.
“I started singing when I was in Form One, so when an opportunity like this comes a-knocking, why wouldn’t I want to grab it?
“For every recording artiste, to have a solo concert is the ultimate dream in his or her career,” says Elyana, who had gone through seven chemotherapy and a radiotherapy sessions since 2014.
The singer, who is known for her songs such as Tak Tercapai Akalmu and Diriku Tapak Sulaiman, only revealed that she had cancer after she was booted out of the reality show Gegar Vaganza in November 2017.
“I never thought that I would survive this long,” says Eliana, 31, whose cancer cells had spread to her spine late last year.
“Initially I thought I suffered from a slipped disc. My condition was so bad that I could not even walk and had to use a wheelchair.
“I finished my radiotherapy treatment early this year, and as my condition stabilised, I got back my courage and willpower. And when presented with this chance of staging my debut concert, I don’t want to prolong this anymore,” she says.
A lot of people are amazed with her decision to put up a show as she is still battling cancer, not yet a cancer survivor.
“While I’m still able to do it, there’s no reason for me to postpone it.
“I want to create memories for my daughter and my other loved ones with this concert,” says the singer.
Elyana admits that she may not have the stamina but is grateful that she is well enough to carry on with this project.
She plans to rest well and build up her stamina by playing badminton, a game which she enjoyed since young.
“I will train for vocals and physical strength, which will be supervised by a trainer and a medical team,” says Elyana.
She is due for another round of chemotherapy after Hari Raya Aidilfitri but Elyana has to postpone it to after the concert.
GEARING UP FOR THE CONCERT
Elyana says that it all began with a plan for a showcase, with a venue that can only accomodate a few hundred people.
“From our initial discussions, it led to this concert,” shares the singer of her concert which is slated to take place at Bentley Music Auditorium in Mutiara Damansara, Petaling Jaya on July 6.
The venue, which has good acoustics, can accommodate 1,800 people.
Titled “Elyana ‘Jadi Diriku 19’ Live In Concert”, the singer says 19 refers to the number of years she has been in showbusiness although it may seem like it is referring to the year 2019.
Jadi Diriku is also the title of her last and the fourth studio album released in 2007.
While she has yet to come up with a setlist for the one and a half-hour concert, Elyana says she will perform her own songs as well as songs from other singers with lyrics that relate to her life and what she has experienced so far.
“I will also invite a few singers to perform at the concert, but I won’t be sharing who they are just yet,” she says with a smile.
The concert, which is organised by MRS Production, is not just about Elyana’s personal achievement but also to raise funds for cancer patients through its collaboration with sponsors and the National Cancer Council (Makna).
“Part of the money received from the sponsors will be channelled to cancer patients via Makna,” says M. Rafie from MRS Production.
Elyana adds: “I also want to prove to other terminally-ill patients that it’s not the beginning of our end but the beginning of a new chapter in our lives.
“I hope that through this concert, I’d be able to impact people who are fighting for their lives too.”
Elyana has the full support of her family members to stage this concert.
“Instead of discouraging me, they are all behind me, giving their full support as they know this would make me happy,” she says.
Tickets, priced at RM159 and RM199 (for meet and greet), are available at www.shopee.com.my or through its mobile app. The first 100 will get an earlybird price of RM139.