On Monday (July 13th), it was announced that L7 bassist Jennifer Finch had been diagnosed with an aggressive form of brain cancer. Complications have unfortunately left her with “physical limitations,” and a GoFundMe campaign has been launched to help provide the level of care she needs.
In less than three days, the campaign has raised more than $377,000, surpassing its original goal of $150,000. The target has since been increased to $350,000.
“The cost of giving Jennifer the care she needs is overwhelming, but it’s what gives her the best chance for meaningful improvement while maintaining as much comfort, dignity, and independence as possible,” the GoFundMe page reads.
While much of the money has come from fans, several of the largest donations were made by fellow musicians, bands, and members of the music industry.
Garbage, who said in a statement on Instagram that they are “shocked and pretty devastated” by the news, donated $8,000. Pearl Jam bassist Jeff Ament contributed $4,500, while Bikini Kill’s Kathleen Hanna, Billie Joe Armstrong’s wife Adrienne Armstrong, and Sub Pop Records each donated $5,000.
Tool frontman Maynard James Keenan and Warped Tour founder Kevin Lyman also made donations of $2,500, while Korn guitarist Brian “Head” Welch and Fugazi’s Guy Picciotto contributed $1,000 apiece.
Bad Religion guitarist Brett Gurewitz and his wife Gina made one of the biggest donations, contributing a generous $10,000. Gurewitz produced L7’s self-titled 1988 debut album.
The campaign’s largest single contribution, however, was an anonymous donation of $44,000.
In an update posted to the GoFundMe page, Finch’s friend Aubree Miller said that they are “absolutely BLOWN AWAY by the support, love and how far this campaign went.”
“We are all so grateful for the community showing up far and wide to support Jennifer,” she wrote. “One comment we received said, ‘you have an army behind you,’ and with the support we are receiving we truly feel that. When that comment came in I immediately read it to Jennifer and it touched her so much. […] What has been raised so far we estimate to cover about eight weeks of supplemental in-home medical care costs – so THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH.”
Miller also thanked L7 and Courtney Love “for their support and love. Without them this wouldn’t have been possible.”
