Around 2000, I saw her on TV being interviewed by Barbara Walters talking about how her son, Nick Traina, had committed suicide. I was so incredibly moved by her story and her grace in the face of such a loss of a beautiful, talented son, that I sat down at the piano and wrote a song called “Golden Boy." I sent it to her, and she graciously flew me and my husband out to San Francisco first class, put us up at The Ritz Carlton, and invited us to her home for a wonderful dinner before I performed at the first Star Ball, an event that is held every other year to raise funds and awareness for juvenile depression and kids in crisis.
Depression is a devastating illness that affects so many people around the globe. The Nick Traina Foundation is a wonderful resource for young people in crisis.
Thank you, Danielle, for your tireless work in helping children. You’re a great mom, and a beautiful light in the world.