Lauren Alaina canceled a pair of shows on Aug. 29 in Rochester, N.Y., and on Aug. 31 at the Pepsi Gulf Coast Jam in Panama City, Fla., due to a “family medical emergency.”
Lauren’s step-dad, Sam Ramker, has been battling Stage IV cancer since March. According to a Facebook post on Aug. 28, Sam was in the “ICU due to an infection in his lungs. Today they are going to be draining the fluid. Please keep us in your prayers. Treatment is going well. We just hit a speed bump in the road. Treatment will continue this week as planned. Thanks everyone for all the prayers and donations. Our family is so grateful”
Lauren and her teamed shared the cancellations via Twitter, saying, in part: “Due to a family medical emergency, Lauren Alaina will not be performing at this weekend’s Pepsi Gulf Coast Jam. She is grateful to all of the fans for the outpouring of love during this time and hopes to see you all soon—Team LA.”
— Lauren Alaina (@Lauren_Alaina) August 29, 2018
I’m really sorry I can’t be there. Love you guys. https://t.co/VhYXjovMcz
— Lauren Alaina (@Lauren_Alaina) August 29, 2018
On Aug. 28, Lauren was nominated for a CMA Award for New Artist of the Year. She posted a tweet following the announcment, saying: “God always shines some light in a time of darkness. It’s been a tough week for my family, but this brightened everything up a little. Thank you to all the people who made this nomination possible. You know who you are. @CountryMusic.”
God always shines some light in a time of darkness. It’s been a tough week for my family, but this brightened everything up a little. Thank you to all the people who made this nomination possible. You know who you are. @CountryMusic pic.twitter.com/0yQnuhUxyk
— Lauren Alaina (@Lauren_Alaina) August 28, 2018
photo by Tammie Arroyo, AFF-USA.com