News of the Grammys might be circulating all over the web right now, but that’s not where you’ll hear about this truly inspiring music story.
Thirty-one year old musician and mom Cat Janice had one wish after being diagnosed with cancer: to leave behind a song for her 7-year-old son Loren, so that he could collect the proceeds.
The D.C.-based singer songwriter first noticed a lump in her neck in November of 2021, as she explained on TikTok. Over the next year the lump grew larger, prompting her to visit a doctor who confirmed it was sarcoma.
Janice continued singing and writing songs throughout her chemo treatments and surgery, posting her creations—and her healing progress—on social media.
Despite being declared cancer-free on July 22, 2022, the cancer returned almost a year later. And in January 2024, she posted that her “tumors basically tripled overnight,” leaving her virtually unable to speak, let alone sing, and living in hospice.
@cat.janice #greenscreensticker cannot even believe this happened but I have to keep my head up. I want to leave behind every penny I have for him. Will you please pre save it and stream when it comes out? Hospice has been easier and more time with kiddo but swelling has not stopped 🙁 ❤️❤️ prayers please #cancer #songwriter ♬ Dance You Outta My Head – Cat Janice
Knowing she didn’t have much time left, Jancie teased out one last song, a happy pop tune titled “Dance You Outta My Head,” kindly asking folks to stream it. That way, she could leave her baby boy something when she was gone.
Janice got her wish. “Dance You Outta My Head” blew up on TikTok. People not shared videos of them dancing along to the words, but also offered words of support and empathy.
@kylei.ann I am cryingggg at our spins @Cat Janice ♬ Dance You Outta My Head – Cat Janice
“I was once a 7-year-old who lost their mom to cancer,” someone wrote. “Dancing to spread this song.”
What’s clear is that folks weren’t just spreading the song out of charity. Janice created a bona fide banger—infused with joy and that special something that make you wanna move
@stephfozzy This message is for you @Cat Janice. I’ll never dance you outta my head.🥹 Thank you. Love you. I’m gonna miss you.🪩💛✨ #catjanice #musiclivesonforever #musicismagic #womensupportingwomen #cancersucks #danceyououttamyhead ♬ Dance You Outta My Head – Cat Janice
The song didn’t just go viral online. In a subsequent video, Janice shared that she had woken up in the middle of the night to find out “Dance You Outta My Head” had charted #5 in the world on iTunes.
In the video’s caption, Janice shared her gratitude, writing, “all of this is because of you guys .I am so lucky to even be alive. Let alone with such a strong family of music lovers by my side. My son and I will forever be grateful. I feel like I can rest in God’s peace from all your love. Just so wild.”
And thank you, Janice, for reminding us all that even during our darkest moments, that beauty can be created. That is what art is all about.
You can catch the full version of “Dance You Outta My Head” below, or you can stream it on Spotify/iTunes. And if you’d like to further support Janice and her family, you can find a GoFundMe page, where the donations are geared both towards saving her life and Loren’s education, counseling and music lessons, here.