We are celebrating music and patient communities across Ireland through our first-ever Patient Choir Contest, launched as part of our company’s global partnership with the Eurovision Song Contest 2025, hosted in our headquarters city of Basel, Switzerland.
Congratulations to all the choirs who took part in the Novartis Ireland Patient Choir Contest!
May 02, 2025
Congratulations to the Forget Me Nots who were voted as winners of the Novartis Ireland Eurovision Patient Choir Contest
From 14-30 April 2025, voting was open to everyone. Almost 15,000 voted - thank you! The public vote made up one-third of the final decision, and our two judges – Charlie McGettigan, former Eurovision winner, and Hilary Moss, Professor of Music Therapy, University of Limerick – contributed to the remaining two-thirds of the score.
The winning choir (Forget Me Nots) will receive €3,000 and be invited to perform at our offices in Dublin. Relay for Life Donegal Survivors Choir and Sea of Change were runners up. Congratulations to all!
Click on the choir photo to watch the performance
Cork Headway Choir
Forget Me Nots Choir
Mercer's Melodies Choir
Purple House Cancer Support Choir
Relay for Life Donegal Survivors Choir
Rhythm of Recovery Choir
Sea of Change Cancer Choir
Sing for Life Choir
SingStrong Choir
Sligo Cancer Support Choir
Watch the performance of the Cork Headway Choir
The choir is a place that builds confidence and where friendships are formed. The group comes together weekly to sing, it is a place of support, they feel less lonely, and they help each other along. Singing together brings out the best in people and for some it has helped them get their voice back.
VIDEO
Why we sing
Written by Greg Gilpin
Watch the performance of the Forget Me Nots Choir
From light chit-chat to focused rehearsals, fun physical warm-ups to exhilarating performances, the reach of our choir support network is broad. As our members say in our song: We have a little place, a little refuge. It’s fun and it’s safe… When you step inside your worries leave you …
VIDEO
This shock of flowers
Composed by Norah Constance Walsh, written with the Forget Me Nots choir
Watch the performance of the Mercer's Melodies Choir
Mercer’s Melodies has been life-changing. Originally focused on lung health, it has grown to boost voice strength, breathing, and most importantly mental well-being. We’ve made new friends, reduced stress, and gained a sense of belonging. Singing together lifts our spirits, supports us through tough times, and enriches our emotional and social wellness enormously! We’re delighted to unite in our common love of music and song!
VIDEO
Grandma Grandma
Unknown – Children’s Rhyme/Folklore
Hallelujah
Written by Leonard Cohen
Watch the performance of the Purple House Cancer Support Choir
Our choir offers individuals an outlet for expressing emotions associated with surviving cancer and connects singers with others who understand what they are going through. It helps people find their voice again after cancer, enhances their mood and reduces stress, while also providing physical benefits such as improved lung health.
VIDEO
This little light of mine
Written by Harry Dixon Loes, adapted by Zilphia Horton
Watch the performance of the Relay for Life Donegal Survivors Choir
No matter what cancer does to us, no matter how ill we are, we will laugh again, we will sing again, and if we haven’t before, damn it, we’ll do it now!
VIDEO
The war
Rachel Akkoc, writer and arranger
Watch the performance of the Rhythm of Recovery Choir
Participation in the choir provides us with physical, mental and emotional autonomy and control over our recovery journey – and facilitates inclusion, contribution and motivation. The rehabilitative effects of singing enhance brain recovery, speech function and cognition. It’s medicinal!
VIDEO
Vision
Written by Orna Tully and Kevin McNamara
Watch the performance of the Sea of Change Cancer Choir
We find support, friendship, and belonging, especially powerful for those affected by cancer and who have come through treatment and are a bit lost. It builds our self-esteem and confidence proving that every voice matters.
VIDEO
The path that chooses you
Written by Ollie Cole with the choir
Watch the performance of the Sing for Life Choir
Receiving a cancer diagnosis can be extremely traumatic and isolating. The choir offers members a sense of belonging to a community of people who have had similar experiences. It provides informal support and reduces social isolation and loneliness, whilst providing an uplifting experience, both physically and mentally.
VIDEO
Lean on me
Words and music by Bill Withers, adapted by Jack Zaino
Watch the performance of the SingStrong Choir
Through breathing exercises and singing, participants have improved their lung function test scores and vocal strength, and gained tools to self-manage COPD, which helps prevent social isolation. Every member also reports that it has boosted their mental well-being and that they always feel better physically and mentally after a class.
VIDEO
One day like this
Written by Guy Garvey Elbow
Watch the performance of the Sligo Cancer Support Choir
An environment where everyone shares similar experiences allows people the freedom to just be without explaining their struggles or feel defined by their illness. Singing provides a sense of normalcy and joy. Focusing on something positive and uplifting is invaluable in navigating the emotional and mental challenges cancer often brings.
VIDEO
I have a dream
Written by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus (ABBA)
Thank you to our judges
"Ireland has a long, proud association with the Eurovision. We have won seven times, and this year marks the 60th anniversary of Irish entries to the Song Contest. Reaching this milestone demonstrates the enduring power of music to bring people together, so I am delighted to be involved in the Patient Choir Contest."
"Singing connects people across all cultures, creating community and reducing social isolation. There is growing evidence that singing in groups boosts immunity and lung function, improves mental health and reduces pain perception. I am excited to be part of this initiative and see the positive impact of music on the lives of people living with chronic illnesses."
