After almost two years out of the spotlight, Kalan Porter has a new song on the airwaves and a new role lending his voice to support the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation -- and the two are more closely related than it appears.

"Down in Heaven" -- released to radio June 4 -- marks Porter's first single since "In Spite of It All," the third single off his debut album, which was released in Nov. 2004.

After finishing an extensive -- and mostly sold-out -- tour for that record, he halted work on his second album when he found out his mother had been diagnosed with breast cancer.

"I found out in early 2006... my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer," the 21-year-old Albertan told CTV's "eTalk."

"I kept working for a while and tried to just stay focused on the music, but I just couldn't do it... I ended up going home to spend some time with my family and it was the best thing I could have done."
 
But despite knowing he'd made the right choice, the talented fiddler said he was unsure of where that would leave his music career. 

"I had so many questions," Porter said. "Would the fans still be there? Would the record company still be supportive?"

"I remember one day laying in bed looking at an old family photo and we were all in our matching Christmas sweaters. It was a more innocent time, before Canadian Idol... I thought I need to go back and be with family so that's what I did."

Now, with his mother's health back on track, Porter is back at work and doesn't seem to have lost much momentum. His record is set for launch on August 28, and his family's brush with cancer has inspired him to use his celebrity to improve awareness of the disease.

"I'm... working with the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation," he said. "I'm getting involved with them specifically with the CIBC Run For The Cure, but I'm starting to work with them on an ongoing basis as well."

The Run for the Cure takes place in location across Canada on Sept. 30. As for Porter's mom, he says she's doing well and will have the chance to spend a lot of time with him in the very near future.

"She's really good," said a relieved Porter. "It's great to know with the album coming out and the tour that she's going to be there. There's nothing cooler than being on a rock tour with your mom."