Pictured are Alexa Bolton and her mom Suzette with their Maureen's Hope "You & Me Bears."  Alexa travels from Syracuse to Sloan Kettering for two weeks every month to receive chemotherapy treatments.

(Lyrics to You and Me by Dave Matthews)

You and I, we're not tied to the ground
Not falling, but rising like rolling around
Eyes closed above the rooftops
Eyes closed, we're gonna spin through the stars
Our arms wide as the sky...

...You and Me together, we could do anything, baby.
You and Me together, yes, yes.

Imagine a child, hospitalized and battling cancer. One parent or sibling can't be with them in the hospital. How can they feel connected to that person when so much separates them? If the children and their separated loved one each have a bear to cuddle at night, one that matches the other, wouldn't they feel connected? Their eyes closed, bears tucked in beside them, spinning them through the sky together...

Who would imagine that the Dave Matthews Band could provide the inspiration for the Maureen's Hope "You and Me Bears" program that has brought comfort to families during their most challenging times?

Music moves us and opens our emotions and sometimes it's just what we need to find the right inspiration. Five years ago, I sat at my computer trying to feel inspired to come up with a meaningful name for a program Maureen's Hope Foundation was launching at Golisano Children's Hospital that was going to bring comfort to patients and their families. I know the pain that was felt within a family when they had to be separated during hospital stays. My sister Maureen was treated at Sloan Kettering in NYC and during the weeks I couldn't be there with her, I was always searching for a way to feel connected. This program was going to offer an outlet for families to find and feel that connection.

My son Connor offered to sit down and offer some collaboration to help me come up with a meaningful name. Well, or perhaps he remembers it as me yelling upstairs in a frustrated voice "I need some help!" Before he could work with me, he had to put on HIS music, the tunes that might inspire him, shift his mood and also, interestingly, connect the age barrior between us. I have three sons and they are all DMB fans so his music is usually playing in at least one bedroom in our house. The song "You and Me" came on. I sat in silence and that was it. The song was one of hope and connection and as the lyrics said "you and me, together, can do anything."

For five years now I have known that one day Dave Matthews will learn how his music helped inspire a vision of hope. Music and connection can be a strong force to help change the world, bring us together.

Imagine connecting the DMB (Dave Matthews Band) with Maureen's Hope and the families we serve. How can you help me do that? Share this story and encourage friends to be part of the blitz by following and joining in the conversation on our social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter and Instagram).  Links are below.  Talk it up because together we can make this happen!  When we get noticed by the Dave Matthews Band, the opportunities can be priceless! #you&meDMB