A Friend In Need

In March 2008, after being hit by a ball while scrimmaging with her amateur street hockey team in Brooklyn, up-and-coming singer/songwriter Kelly Buchanan ’01, suffered a traumatic brain injury. The past few months have brought milestones in Kelly’s recovery as well as some relapses. The injury initially left her unable to speak, stand, or walk, and she experienced constant vertigo.

It’s been six months since the accident, and Kelly has made remarkable progress. But some obstacles persist: she remains unable to drive, take public transportation, use a computer, work, or perform. Through it all, she has remained steadfast in her determination to recover and return to her music, and even hockey—with a helmet.

ASCAP recently hosted a benefit for Kelly at the Knitting Factory in New York City on September 10 to help defray her medical bills. The event drew talented acts including members of Fountains of Wayne, Nada Surf, and the electronic-pop duo Measure. An all-star band also performed songs from Kelly’s new self-titled CD release. All proceeds went directly to her recovery fund.

To read Kelly’s firsthand account of the accident and her recovery, visit http://www. annierock.com/hockeyletter.html. For more information on her CD or to purchase a copy, visit www.kellybuchanan.com.