Jason Mraz Records 20,000th Song for Charity Songs of Love Foundation

(Feb. 9) – Thirteen-year-old Christian Burns recently received something many girls his age would kill for: a personalized song from singer-songwriter Jason Mraz.

Christian is battling Ewing's sarcoma, a type of bone cancer, and Mraz recorded the song for the Songs of Love Foundation, which provides personalized songs to young people with serious illnesses. The organization draws on the talents of 350 professional lyricists, instrumentalists and vocalists.

Songs of Love was founded in New York by John Beltzer after his brother Julio, the lead singer in his band, took his own life. Shortly before dying, he had recorded a composition called "Songs of Love," which inspired Beltzer to start his nonprofit.

Their first song was recorded for a 5-year-old cancer patient named Brittany in Memphis, Tenn. Mraz became involved with Songs of Love through a friend of his, Michael Natter, who also co-wrote the song with his wife, Nancy. Natter approached him about recording the landmark 20,000th song in the organization's 14-year history.

Celebrities have a long history of performing for charity, and Mraz joined Akon, Pink, Kanye West and a host of other musicians in rerecording "We Are the World" this month to benefit the victims of the earthquake in Haiti. "We Are the World" was written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Ritchie, and raised more than $63 million for aid efforts in Africa.

The 20,000th song is titled "Love Is All Around (Quote Christian)." You can listen to it, but only if you vote for Songs of Love in a Facebook competition.