Yankees legend and Latin Grammy-nominee Bernie Williams and American Idol season 6 winner Jordin Sparks debuted a new song, “Breath of Life (Para don Berna),” with lyrics written by the winner of the Breathless® Ballad Challenge.
The new recording is set to “Para Don Berna,” an instrumental ballad written by Williams in honor of his father, who passed away from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) in 2001. Championed by Williams, the Breathless Ballad Challenge launched as a lyric writing competition to raise awareness of IPF, a type of interstitial lung disease, and called on the public to write lyrics in honor of a hero in their own life – just as Williams’ dad was to him. David DePinho of New Jersey wrote the winning lyrics that were chosen by a panel of celebrity judges.
“I am absolutely thrilled and honored to be a part of this rewarding project”
“When I learned that my good friend Bernie Williams’ dad suffered from IPF, and how personal this campaign was to him, I was inspired to get involved and do what I could to raise awareness of this disease,” said Jordin Sparks. “I am absolutely thrilled and honored to be a part of this rewarding project, and to perform these moving lyrics written by David.”
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DePinho witnessed his mother suffer from breathlessness due to lung complications from chronic disease and felt this was an ideal opportunity to pay tribute to her and offer a special remembrance in her honor.
“We’re honored to be working with such brilliant artists like Bernie Williams and Jordin Sparks to bring the Breathless Ballad Challenge to life,” said Al Masucci, vice president, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. “Through this program, a profound, artistic masterpiece was created by individuals of immeasurable talent to fulfill the vision of this important initiative through song and increase awareness and early diagnosis of IPF.”
Jordin and Bernie appeared on Good Morning America on Friday (Dec 10) to perform the touching song. Watch it below.
Jordin Sparks and Bernie Williams perform “Breath of Life (Para don Berna)” on Good Morning America
