Mad Silence

A single song. A single random act. That's all it took to make a huge impact in the life of 4-year-old Iley Puloka.

Since March, the digital download of Puyallup rock band Mad Silence's song "10,000 Hearts" has raised more than $12,000 to help support Iley's fight against leukemia.

"We thought we could do this song and do this fundraiser," said Scott Heuston, Mad Silence guitarist and vocalist. "We didn't realize that (Iley) would become a big part of our lives. That's all spawned from this random act. We've received a gift in that sense."

Iley was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia Dec. 16, 2010. Heuston had the idea to write "10,000 Hearts" after Mad Silence drummer Eric Crozier found out about Iley's condition through a close friend.

The idea was to generate 10,000 iTunes downloads and raise $10,000.

After the song was released, the band did promotional concerts to drum up support.

When Mad Silence performed on KING-TV's New Day Northwest, it was the first time Iley heard the song "10,000 Hearts." That's when she met Heuston and Mad Silence for the first time.

"She absolutely loves this," said Iley's mother, Amber. "She was so excited when she heard this song."

After the success of "10,000 Hearts," Heuston, his wife and Crozier decided to start a nonprofit organization, One Minute For One Life. The premise, Heuston said, is that the world can be a better place if everyone takes a moment to do something nice for one other.

It's all part of a continuing effort, Heuston said, to support the Puloka family and other children like Iley.

"The process with Iley is not a sprint, it's a marathon," he said. - Seattle Times

A little girl’s Christmas wish came true, thanks to a local band who helped her gather toys for kids at Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital, where she celebrated the holidays last year with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Mad Silence, inspired by 4-year-old Iley Puloka’s journey, sponsored the 10,000 Hearts Toy Drive with benefit concerts and fundraisers throughout December.

“Mary Bridge was actually short on toys this year, and asked if we could deliver the toys we collected a little sooner,” says Scott Heuston, the lead singer of Mad Silence.

The toy drive, which collected 400 toys, helped insure all the children had gifts this Christmas, and most importantly, were able to spend the holiday with their family, even if they were stuck in a hospital bed.

“We also raised about $800 to help families afford the Mary Bridge Tree House service, which allows them to live at a campus apartment short term while their kids are at the hospital,” Heuston says.

Mad Silence first learned about Iley’s battle with cancer in February through her uncle, who plays drums for another local band. Inspired by her courage, Heuston sat down and wrote a song about Iley called “10,000 Hearts,” which has helped raise $12,000 for her hospital bills.

Mad Silence has since formed the nonprofit, One Minute for One Life, which is dedicated to the premise of their band’s slogan “Only love cures the mad silence in this world.” With the goal to changing people’s lives through random acts of kindness, the organization sponsored the 10,000 Hearts Toy Drive.

Heuston says the band plans on sponsoring other families in need next year, including the Bower family; a family of four with a mom who was diagnosed with breast cancer and a dad who needs a kidney transplant.

Mad Silence plans on making a YouTube video about the Bower’s story, writing a song for them and holding fundraising events with One Minute for One Life.

“I think what makes us a little different than other nonprofits is the ability to utilize music to make a connection with people in our lives,” says Heuston. “Music is a powerful tool that allows the family to know there’s a community out there that cares about them.”

As for their little inspiration, Iley will remain a fixture in the band’s fundraising efforts. While she is in the maintenance stage of her recovery, her family still faces financial hardships from her medical bills.

Heuston says a new version of “10,000 Hearts,” featuring the Puyallup High School Choir will be released on Jan. 1 on iTunes to raise money for Iley.

“I’m just overwhelmed with the number of people who have shown up to give,” says Heuston. “It shows that people want to give, but sometimes they just don’t know how to. We’re showing them that it can be just as simple as clicking a link and downloading a song, or reading about a family in need. It’s not as complicated as it seems.” - Komo News

Singer Scott Heuston from the local band Mad Silence, wrote a song for 4 year old Iley Puloka, after learning from mutual friends that she is undergoing treatment for leukemia. He called the song "10,000 Hearts" and decided to record and sell it for 99 cents a download, in hopes that at least 10,000 people would do so. His band and others also held one fundraiser and are holding a second fundraiser Friday night at the Hard Rock Cafe in Seattle.
For more information about the fundraiser and to download the song "10,000 Hearts," click here for Mad Silence's website.
To buy tickets to the fundraiser, click here.
To download the song, "10,000 Hearts," click here. - King 5 News

TACOMA, Wash. -- Mary Bridge Children's Hospital was filled with Christmas spirit on Friday night, all thanks to one little girl, a four-year-old who is quite familiar with the hospital.

Toy by toy, Iley Puloka helped load them into wagons, only to be unloaded just one floor up. With the help of older brother, Tui, she placed each one under the Christmas tree. Excited at the thought of children receiving the gifts she burst with smiles and laughter.
"I spend the night here sometimes," she said.
In fact, Iley spent last Christmas in the hospital.
"I didn't get to see her last Christmas," said Tui. He said it was sad and he’s happy she’s going to be home this Christmas.
Iley didn’t, however, forget about the children who won’t make it home for the holidays. Her only wish was to play Santa’s helper and give gifts to kids still in the hospital. Thanks to songwriter Scott Heuston, she got that chance. Scott has written a song for Iley and his band Mad Silence holds fundraisers to help pay for her treatment. They raised the money for the gifts that Iley delivered.
The band didn’t know Iley before she got sick but member Eric Crozier tells us why she stood out.
“Even when she was feeling pretty awful she was still smiling bigger than anyone in that room,” he said.
Her spirit inspired them and she continues to inspire almost everyone, including her family.
“She’s the one who keeps us tough. I think about what she goes through every day and I don’t know how she handles it," says mom, Amber Snider.
While playing a game with my photographer, Ryan Coe, Iley shouted, “I won.” She is winning but at something much more important, her battle with cancer. - King 5 News

Singer Scott Heuston from the local band Mad Silence, wrote a song for 4 year old Iley Puloka, after learning from mutual friends that she is undergoing treatment for leukemia. He called the song "10,000 Hearts" and decided to record and sell it for 99 cents a download, in hopes that at least 10,000 people would do so. His band and others also held one fundraiser and are holding a second fundraiser Friday night at the Hard Rock Cafe in Seattle. - King 5 News

When members of the rock group Mad Silence heard the heartbreaking story of four-year-old Iley Puloka and her battle with Leukemia, they knew they needed to do something.

Little Iley lives in Auburn, and she and her family have spent countless hours in hospitals since she was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in November. Weekly rounds of chemotherapy and spinal taps are treacherous for adults, but they’re almost unbearable for a child.

Mad Silence lead singer Scott Heuston learned about the Puloka’s struggle through Iley’s uncle, who happens to play drums for another local band. Inspired by her courage, Heuston sat down and wrote a song about Iley called 10,000 Hearts.

After recording the song, the band decided they would sell it on iTunes and give the Puloka family 100 percent of the proceeds. Heuston is also organizing two upcoming benefit concerts for Iley, and he hopes the money raised will at least put dent in the extremely high out-of-pocket expenses the Puloka family is paying for treatment.

Heuston said his goal is to both shine a light on Iley’s struggle and to show that communities have a responsibility to care for each other.

“I think people tend to respond more to a single person in their own community rather than an organization,” he said. “I also thought there was no better way for our community to stand up, whether they know the person or not, and say in ‘In our neighborhood we’re going to take care of each other.’”

Heuston said that despite the painful treatment she’s undergoing, Iley is a fighter and is keeping her spirits high. He also said the Puloka family has been overwhelmed by how the community has responded to their struggle.

10,000 Hearts is available online, and you can attend Iley’s benefit concerts at Stonegate Rock Lounge in Tacoma on March 19 and at the Hard Rock Café in Seattle on March 25. Both shows start at 8 p.m. Stonegate owner Jeff Call will also host a silent auction the night of the concert and give all proceeds to the Puloka family. - Komo News

“Mad Silence has a great soulful sound that is very reminiscent of predecessors like Matchbox 20, Tonic, The Fray and Matt Nathanson, without being over produced. This shows a freshness and confidence that is sometimes lacking today. We’ve had the pleasure to collaborate on the soundtrack for our film ‘The Kings of the Corner’ with Mad Silence. His music and lyrics add a depth and feel that envelops the story and compliments our message. Scott Heuston is deeply connected to his music in a way that all great artists are... It’s not often you get the chance to get in on the ground floor with an emerging band. We are lucky to have this opportunity with Mad Silence.”

– Jeff McDaniel, Director WildLine - WildLine