The close harmony group Girlyman has announced that Doris Muramatsu has been diagnosed with chronic myelogenous leukaemia.
 
The band, who toured the UK for the first time this autumn, have cancelled all their shows until the end of the year but say they are hopeful Muramatsu will make a full recovery and be able to go out on the road with them again next year. She is currently being treated at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta.
 
“ She's holding up well, coping with the symptoms of the first phase of treatment, but is still understandably in shock.  We all are, but we are lucky to have a tight-knit community that is pulling together to help.,” said fellow Girlyman member Nate Borofsky in a note to fans.
 
“The four of us have every intention of continuing on as Girlyman, playing tours, writing songs, and making CDs. That said, we don't know what this change will mean in the long term.”
 
Muramatsu and the third member of the band, Ty Greenstein, have been friends since they were small children, and they got together with Borofsky after meeting him at college. Drummer JJ Jones joined the band last year.
 
Fans can send notes to Muramatsu via the email address info@girlyman.com. The band, which is completely independent, is also open to receiving financial support from its fans, which can be offered through the Girlyman website.
 
Click here to read the Backroads interview with Girlyman and listen to music from their show in London.