Have you ever noticed that music can change your mood? Sometimes you might be feeling down until your favourite song comes on the radio and soon you’re dancing around like a rock star!

Music has that effect on hospital patients too. In fact, research shows that there are many benefits to listening to music, such as helping a patient deal with their emotions, relax, sleep, and even have less pain after surgery. That’s why SickKids established the Friends of Music Therapy Program in 1999.

The Music Therapy Program offers entertainment and is an outlet for communication and creativity for our patients while they are facing some of the most difficult times of their life. It allows them to deal with their emotions and frustrations while discovering a new talent and skill.

The power of music knows no limits and is something that everyone can take part in – young and old, big and small.

It can be seen in Drake, the Grammy-nominated recording artist, who recently became an ambassador to the Music Therapy Program here at SickKids. As an artist, Drake knows the power of music and what it can do to those facing challenges in their life.

It can also be seen in Sebastien, a six-year-old transplant patient at SickKids whose love and passion for music is evident to everyone he meets. Sebastien’s story was recently told on a special segment of Global News about the Music Therapy Program which can be seen here.

Music is universal. It is also life-changing. Next time you hear a song on the radio and find yourself in a better mood, now you’ll know why.

More information on the Music Therapy Program can be found here.