Music siblings Rufus and Martha Wainwright have unveiled "Folk Cancer: The Kate McGarrigle Project," a heartfelt initiative offering professional studio time to musicians fighting aggressive cancer.
Named after their late mother Kate McGarrigle, who found solace in music during her final months before passing away from cancer in 2010, the project aims to give musicians battling serious illness an opportunity to record their songs in a professional environment.
"Near the end of our mother's life, music became everything to her," Rufus Wainwright shared. "The process of writing, performing, singing — and singing with others — was hugely helpful to her."
The Wainwrights have partnered with the nonprofit Cancer Can Rock to bring this vision to life. The initiative kicks off with a special event on December 3rd, featuring musical performances and storytelling by the Wainwright siblings and Cancer Can Rock founder Jim Ebert.
Martha Wainwright emphasized their ongoing commitment: "My brother and I continue to provide support for musicians and songwriters struggling with cancer."
The project is currently accepting donations to fund studio time for participating musicians. Donors will receive access to a livestream of the launch event, while those contributing between December 3-6 will receive a recording of the celebration.
Kate McGarrigle was a renowned singer-songwriter who frequently collaborated with her sister Anna. Through this initiative, her musical legacy lives on by supporting fellow artists during their most challenging times.