This year cancer has robbed Celine Dion of both her husband and her brother who died within days of each other in January.
But on Friday the defiant singer paid tribute to them both – and her late father – in a moving performance at the Stand Up 2 Cancer fundraiser in Los Angeles.
The 48-year-old tearfully sang Recovering – a new song written by Pink – while photos of her husband René Angélil, her brother Daniel and dad Adhémar, were shown in the background.
“I miss René every day and the loss will now be a part of my life,” Celine told the audience at the televised event.
“I also lost my father and my brother Daniel to cancer.
“A few months ago during my most difficult time of grieving, I received an unexpected gift from an amazing artist that I have always admired – Pink.
“She offered me a song that expresses power to stand up and stay strong.
“The most wonderful song is called Recovering.”
Later on in an interview with Yahoo’s Katie Couric, the mum-of-three revealed why it was so important for her to be involved in the celebrity-filled event.
Celine, who was married to René for 21 years, said: “I was wondering not too long ago – I said to myself – is there more cancer or is it because now it has touched my family that it’s the awareness?
“And I’m not quite sure. Maybe both.”
She also praised Pink for writing Recovering saying the singer “went very deep” and that the lyrics “little by little, day by day, one step at a time” resonated with her.
“I was extremely touched and singing it tonight…it has the fullest meaning of it,” she said. “I tried to stay very, very strong.
But Celine admitted she couldn’t get through the performance without getting tearful.
She said: “I really thought I was strong and I felt strong, but they [the audience] were crying. And it’s been a tough year.”
Pink tweeted her support saying: “Thank you, Celine. You are heart, and soul. You are strength, and grace. You are incredible.
“Sending you the biggest hug right now.”
Other Hollywood stars who took part in this year’s event include Bradley Cooper, Tom Hanks and Kathy Bates.
Actress Shannen Doherty, who is currently battling breast cancer, was also at the fundraiser.
Watch Celine’s performance here:
