Travers Back With Peter, Paul & Mary

Mary Travers of Peter, Paul & Mary, who has been battling leukemia, will perform in a holiday concert December 9th in Manhattan’s Carnegie Hall.

It will be the first performance by the popular folk trio, which also includes Peter Yarrow and Noel Paul Stookey, since Travers was diagnosed a year ago.

She has been making a steady recovery since a bone marrow transplant was performed in April. Doctors have told her that tests so far show no signs of the disease.

“I think they’re very happy with my progress,” Travers, 69, told The Associated Press on Monday. “They’re all thrilled and they’re all coming to the concerts.”

Travers had been waiting for a donor match after chemotherapy failed to stop the disease. She had lost about 60 pounds and much of her trademark long blond hair.

“I will not be shaking my hair out of my face,” she said. “But I kind of like it short.”

Travers said she doesn’t know her donor yet, but hopes to meet the person someday.

“My donor has a lifetime of free concerts to Peter, Paul & Mary,” she said.

The trio, known for hits such as “Leaving on a Jet Plane” and “Puff, The Magic Dragon,” are planning a dozen concerts next year.

Travers said she’s received more than 10,000 e-mails from well-wishers around the world.

“The messages were so heartfelt and so lovely,” she said. “You really get to a place where you begin to feel all that goodwill, all those prayers are really part of the medicine that make you well.”

— Associated Press