Mark Masri’s connection with arthritis is personal. He watched his mother struggle with arthritis since she was in her mid-30s as she endured arthritis in her shoulders, chronic pain and two knee replacements. His early exposure to arthritis drives his passion to spread hope, healing and harmony through the power of music.
His bandmate, Victor Micallef, has had a similar journey. His mother, the breadwinner of the family, suffered from arthritis for many of her working years. She had two knee replacement surgeries and although she could barely walk, she continued to work as a nurse until retirement. His sister and niece also have rheumatoid arthritis, and Victor continues to see his family suffer from this devastating disease.
Mark and Victor are members of the Tenors — the multi-platinum-selling quartet composes original songs and reimagines iconic hits in English, French, Spanish, and Italian.
As they witnessed their loved ones struggling with arthritis, Mark and Victor found a natural alignment with Arthritis Society Canada’s mission to alleviate the agony of millions of people in Canada living with the brutal realities of the disease. Clifton is equally committed to leveraging their public profiles to supporting this important cause.
Recognizing the collective impact they could have, they aligned themselves with Arthritis Society Canada. And in 2023, The Tenors became Arthritis Society Canada’s ambassadors, raising awareness of the debilitating effects of arthritis and supporting people affected by it.
The Tenors are supporting the organization through awareness campaigns, special events and fundraising performances. The relationship kicked off last November with The Tenors’ Holiday Tour through which they donated $1 from the sale of each ticket to Arthritis Society Canada. In 2024, The Tenors will be performing at all three of Arthritis Society Canada’s signature galas, Fire Ball, in Vancouver (this past May), Toronto (November 2) and Montreal (November 16).
“Arthritis has impacted our families in many ways — the toll this disease takes is more than just physical,” says Victor. “It debilitates ones emotional and mental health and there are everyday battles that often go unseen.”
“Through our roles as ambassadors, we want to go beyond raising awareness – we want to inspire action,” says Mark. “We want to work with Arthritis Society Canada to create a community of hope so the people living with arthritis feel seen, supported and empowered.”
This Arthritis Awareness Month, The Tenors invite you to share your journey with arthritis. What has arthritis stolen from you or your loved ones? By sharing your experience by October 12, 2024, you could win an unforgettable night away in Niagara Falls and see The Tenors perform live. Visit here for contest details.