The Cause
Avril Lavigne released an inspirational new single, “Fly,” on April 16 to support the 2015 Special Olympics World Games, to be held July 25 to Aug. 2 in Los Angeles. “I’ve always been touched by people with disabilities and illnesses, so I wrote this song for them,” she says. “It has helped me through some dark moments.” All proceeds from sales of “Fly” will support the Special Olympics; an iTunes download also includes a video starring Lavigne and Special Olympics athletes. The singer, 30, aims to perform the track at the opening ceremony, but isn’t sure she’ll be well enough after a long bout with Lyme disease, which she contracted in 2013.
The Backstory
Lavigne started writing “Fly” two years ago for the Avril Lavigne Foundation, which she founded in 2010 to support children battling illnesses or disabilities. In 2014, she worked with the Special Olympics to help raise funds to support 30 athletes, which led to a discussion about finishing “Fly” in support of the 2015 games. “I feel like this is my responsibility as a public figure,” she says. “I can’t sit back and do nothing.”
Why It’s Extra Special
Lavigne tweaked the lyrics to “Fly” while bedridden for five months. “It’s empowering for me, going through what I’m going through,” she says. “It comes from my heart.”