For more than a decade, the Jeremy Wilson Foundation 501(c)3 (JWF) has been dedicated to improving the overall well-being of local musicians and their families during times of medical crisis.

Singer-songwriter Jeremy Wilson, a lifelong working musician whose bands include the Dharma Bums and Pilot, was inspired to launch the JWF in June 2010 after being diagnosed with a serious congenital heart condition called Wolff-Parkinson-White. This experience quickly exposed the harsh reality of navigating the healthcare system as an artist and independent contractor, and the need for better access to healthcare in the musical community.

Jeremy was also struck by the incredible outpouring of goodwill and support he received from the friends, fans and family that helped him through four heart surgeries. Jeremy formed the JWF in hopes of replicating this model: uniting fellow musicians and music lovers to help provide critical support to individual musicians and their families when medical crises occur.

This resulted in the JWF’s Musicians’ Emergency Healthcare Program (MEHP), which has provided both financial assistance for qualified recipients and critical consultative support through the JWF volunteer social services team. This social services component, led by a Licensed Master Social Worker, enables JWF to connect those we serve with additional local, state, or federal aid and help them navigate the complex healthcare system. This program has recently been re-launched as the Musician Health & Services Program, allowing us to expand our grants and services under a single holistic point-of-entry and ultimately help more people access the support they need more quickly.

Jeremy and I will discuss his bands, commitment to assisting his musical community, and ways that he sees us all making a difference.

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