Buffalo music community gives support

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - A popular Buffalo singer is determined to beat the odds against a rare disease.

And as Harry Stewart is finding out, the entire Buffalo music community is ready to fight the fight right along side him

For more than 30 years, Harry Stewart has been entertaining Western New Yorkers.

As the lead singer in Junction West and most recently Crystal Blue.

But Harry is facing a new challenge.

A battle against a rare disease that now prevents him from taking the stage.

"To sit around like this, you wouldn't know I'm sick. But to go shopping, you run out of breath. I don't have wind or stamina and my voice is a little weak," he said.

After extensive testing, doctors delivered shocking news to this otherwise healthy 53 year old.

Harry is suffering from a rare disease called Amyloidosis, an accumulation of proteins in the tissues and organs.

In Harry's case, it's affecting his heart and lungs.

He explained, "There's primary and secondary, and of course I got the big one. I got primary, so."

Harry and his wife, Jeanne will travel to see a specialist at the Boston University Medical Center on Sunday to plot out a course of treatment.

The disease cannot be cured, only controlled.

"For me, there was no idea till everybody started crying, I said is this a serious disease? They said yes, it's serious. Then I started thinking of the kids and started crying. It was tough," he explained.

It's only fitting that Buffalo's close-knit music community is coming together for Harry.

Some of the biggest names will perform at a benefit concert at Harry's Harbour place on December 6th.

Harry exclaimed, "It's been off the hook. Look at that lineup! It's the best show in town. It's just been overwhelming."

Harry's wife, Jeanne said, "The silver lining in all this is the support and the amazing outreach from people. We'd like to thank everybody, it's been wild. Very nice."

Harry is staying strong for his young family and plans to get back on stage before long.

"To me, it's a bump in the road. For me, I hope it's not too big of a bump that I can knock it over. That's what I'm praying for," Harry said.

Again, the benefit concert for Harry Stewart will be held on Sunday, December 6th at Harry's Harbor place at 2 p.m.

For more information call 874-5584.