Cat Janice, a singer and mother from Virginia, has been battling the final stages of cancer. She wrote a song for her seven-year-old son, Loren, and asked her TikTok followers to help make it popular. The response exceeded her expectations.
The Discovery and Diagnosis
Janice’s battle with cancer began in 2021. In a TikTok video, she explained how she discovered the lump on her neck. She had just recovered from COVID-19, and her lymph nodes were still swollen, but she didn’t think much of it. One day, while studying for exams and rubbing her neck, as she usually did when anxious, she felt the lump. “It did not move, and it did not hurt,” she said.
With no other symptoms and normal bloodwork, Janice didn’t initially worry. However, she did experience tight knots on her back and shoulder blades, which later turned out to be caused by a tumor growing in her scalene muscle. She was diagnosed with sarcoma, a rare cancerous tumor that grows in bones or soft tissue, such as cartilage, tendons, and nerves. Although the doctors promised to do their best, the diagnosis was a heavy blow.
Treatment and a Setback
At the time of her diagnosis, Janice kept the news from her young son, but as he grew older, he began to understand the seriousness of her illness. After undergoing chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery to remove the tumor, things seemed to be looking up. However, in 2023, Janice revealed in another TikTok video that the cancer had returned, this time in her lungs. Despite the heartbreaking news, she remained determined to fight.
A Heartfelt Dedication
Two days before releasing her song “Wishing I Was You,” Janice shared her struggle with cancer on TikTok. Initially intended to reflect her journey to recovery, the song took on new meaning as her battle continued. On January 11, 2024, Janice posted another TikTok video from hospice, uncertain of how much time she had left. “My last joy would be if you pre-saved my song ‘Dance You Outta My Head’ in my bio and streamed it because all proceeds go straight to my 7-year-old boy I’m leaving behind,” she wrote.
The song, about feeling good and being in the best mood possible, was released just before her 31st birthday on January 19, 2024. Janice transferred all rights to the song to her son, ensuring he would benefit from her music after she was gone. “I might not be here, but my baby boy will be,” she wrote.
A Bittersweet Success
Janice’s followers were deeply moved by her story. Many used the song to share their own experiences of loss and survival. Seeing her song bring joy to others was a dream come true for Janice. The song quickly climbed the charts, reaching number five in the world on iTunes. While the success left Janice speechless, it was bittersweet as she faced her final days
Despite the sadness, Janice took pride in leaving her son with the rights to her music. She hoped Loren would remember how hard she fought and that her music would remind him of her love and strength throughout her battle with cancer.
