Seattle BLACK NATIVITY Will Benefit First Grader Ian Gunnell

The Seattle holiday tradition, Black Nativity, is celebrating its 3rd year at the historic Moore Theatre, and its 15th season here in Seattle. The gospel song play by noted American poet and novelist Langston Hughes features the powerful voices of Pastor Patrinell Wright and the Black Nativity Choir featuring singers from the Total Experience Gospel Choir. The focus of Black Nativity's joyful noise on December 19th, will be Ian Gunnell, a 1st grader at Vinland Elementary School in Poulsbo.

Ian Gunnel and his family are fighting against a rare and aggressive form of Leukemia, Blastic Dendritic Cell Neoplasm. There are only 25 documented cases in children and Ian is the first to ever be seen or treated in Seattle. The cost of one chemotherapy treatment for Ian is $150,000. Ian began his first treatment in October and the community of Poulsbo has come together along with friends and family to help the Gunnels. Black Nativity is now among that group of friends and supporters rooting for Ian.

The December 19th Black Nativity performance will be dedicated to Ian with all ticket proceeds being given to the Gunnell family to help defray the coast of Ian's treatment.
This performance will be streamed live to Ian in his hospital through our partnership with the Melodic Caring Project.

Ian has been at Children's Hospital in Seattle since early September, when he was diagnosed. At age 6, Ian is dealing with a cancer that is typically found in adults, with an average age of 65 for diagnosis. Since Ian's diagnosis, the Gunnells have had to completely rearrange their lives to accommodate the ability for the family of six to divide time between Poulsbo and Seattle.

Tickets to this performance of Black Nativity range from $32.50 - $52.50 (not including fees). Go to stgpresents.org for tickets, purchase at The Paramount Theatre box office, at the ticketing kiosks at The Moore and Paramount Theatres, 24 hours daily, or at Sonic Boom Records in Ballard.

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