Folk Cancer: The Kate McGarrigle Project Launches in Honour of the Late Singer-Songwriter’s Legacy

Rufus and Martha Wainwright announce the launch of Folk Cancer: The Kate McGarrigle Project, an initiative that provides professional studio recording time for musicians living with aggressive cancer. The project is a collaboration between the Wainwright siblings and the nonprofit Cancer Can Rock and is inspired by their late mother, the iconic Canadian singer-songwriter Kate McGarrigle, who passed away from sarcoma in 2010.

The mission of Folk Cancer: The Kate McGarrigle Project is to offer musicians who are facing cancer a platform to express themselves creatively during an otherwise unsettling time. The project honours McGarrigle’s own journey with cancer, where music helped her navigate the final months of her life while battling cancer. Through this initiative, musicians who are facing aggressive cancer diagnoses will have the opportunity to record their original song to preserve their music in a supportive, collaborative environment—fostering creativity and pride during a challenging chapter in their lives.

Rufus Wainwright comments:

“Near the end of our mother’s life, music became everything to her. It was clear that the process of writing, performing, singing — and singing with others — was hugely helpful to her.”

Martha Wainwright adds:

“Because of that, my brother and I continue to provide support for musicians and songwriters struggling with cancer.”

Folk Cancer: The Kate McGarrigle Project will officially launch on December 3rd, Giving Tuesday, during an intimate in-person party. The Wainwrights are granting special live-streaming access to this one-time event for generous donors who gave to support of the initiative. The launch event will feature musical performances, stories from the Wainwrights, and Cancer Can Rock’s founder, Jim Ebert.

The project is now accepting donations to help support its mission. Funds raised will go directly toward providing studio time for musicians living with cancer, ensuring that they have an opportunity to be celebrated as artists and to cement their musical legacy.

Ebert adds:

“We are thrilled to partner with Rufus and Martha Wainwright in this important project. This is an incredible opportunity to not only provide musicians with a creative outlet but to also give them the ability to leave a legacy of music for future generations.”

How to Get Involved:

To learn more about Folk Cancer: The Kate McGarrigle Project or to make a donation, visit FolkCancer.org. Donations are encouraged in honour of Giving Tuesday on December 3rd, anyone giving between Dec 3rd to 6th will receive a special recording of the launch party. For additional information about Cancer Can Rock, visit CancerCanRock.org.

About Folk Cancer: The Kate McGarrigle Project:

Folk Cancer: The Kate McGarrigle Project, a collaboration between Rufus and Martha Wainwright and Cancer Can Rock, empowers musicians living with aggressive cancer to create and preserve their artistic legacies. Inspired by the Wainwright’s mother, the late singer-songwriter Kate McGarrigle, and her healing journey through music during her battle with Sarcoma, this project honours her legacy by fostering creativity and pride, in an otherwise unsettling time.

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