ALL STARTED FROM ONE MAKE-A-WISH TO USE MUSIC TO FUNDRAISE FOR THE MEDICAL AND EDUCATION EXPENSES OF LEUKEMIA PATIENTS
P.D. WYLIE
Founder
OUR FOUNDERS WISH TO START A charity THAT STARTED IT ALL…
After our founder was diagnosed with a rare form of Leukemia at 16, he used his one Make-A-Wish to start our charity dedicated to providing financial aid to leukemia patients for their medical bills through the universal power of music.
Like him, we believe that healthcare is a human right - one that every patient deserves, regardless of their background.
Why We Chose the Name “Covers to Fight Cancer”
“Bella was one of the strongest people I’ve ever known. My charity would not exist in its current form if I had never met her.”
– P.D. Wylie (Our Founder)
In 2023, our founder met his best friend, Bella Grace, during a trip organized by the Sunshine Kids Foundation for children and teens with cancer. In 2024, Bella’s condition worsened. At just 18 years old, she was faced with the heartbreaking decision to sign her own DNR. She passed away shortly after.
Her loss shattered us - but her light, her courage, and her love continue to guide us every single day.
In her memory, our founder created a tribute video with the help of some of the other cancer patients from their close-knit friend group. It was made as a gift for Bella’s family, to offer something positive to remember her by, and to support their GoFundMe campaign.
That video would go on to inspire the idea for Covers to Fight Cancer.
HOW WE FUNDRAISE FOR CANCER PATIENT MEDICAL BILLS USING MUSIC
Our mission is to harness the universal power of music to bring hope and financial relief to children and teens battling leukemia. Through semi-annual fundraising concerts held at the nationally recognized, regionally awarded theater Theatre Horizon, and our C.A.R.E. Program, we dream of a world where the healing power of music bridges hearts and fuels hope, creating a brighter future where no teen or family of a child with leukemia faces the financial burden of the disease alone. We strive to foster a national community of compassion and solidarity, where every melody sung and every note played contributes to the well-being and brighter future of those in need.
Follow Our Entire Grassroots Journey
SEE ALL THAT WE’VE DONE
FROM DAY ONE
MILESTONES BUILDING COVERS TO FIGHT CANCER
-
![Person in a dark blue suit and black face mask giving a thumbs up and standing next to a wall display with the sign 'Wishes Granted This Fiscal Year' and the number '176' hanging under it.]()
THE MAKE-A-WISH FOUNDATION WISH THAT WOULD START OUR CHARITY
-
![A woman wearing a navy blue suit, mask, and glasses standing in an empty theater, gesturing with her hands near the stage. The theater has red seats, a brown wall, and stage curtains in the background.]()
STARTING OUR DIRECT WORK WITH THEATRE HORIZON TO HOLD OUR LARGER FUNDRAISING CONCERTS AT THEIR NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED, REGIONALLY AWARDED, THEATER
-
![Vertical view of a brick building with a pink and white sign that says "THEATRE HORIZON" against a blue sky with some clouds, and a smaller sign below with contact information and a lease advertisement.]()
TOURING THEATRE HORIZONS VENUE AND MEETING THE REST OF THEIR TEAM
-
![A music studio with various guitars, basses, and a banjo hanging on the wall, along with a cello, a music stand, and electronic equipment.]()
PARTNERING WITH A LOCAL RECORD LABEL FOR FUNDRAISING CONCERT CONSULTING & AND OUR ALBUMS TO FIGHT CANCER PROGRAM
-
![Man with glasses, wearing a tuxedo with a bowtie, holding an Emmy Award, smiling, with a textured blue background.]()
EMMY-AWARD WINNING MUSICIAN (RODNEY WHITTENBERG) SUPPORTS OUR MISSION BY BECOMING A CONSULTANT FOR OUR FUNDRAISING CONCERTS
-
![Group of seven diverse people standing together on stage, holding informational placards, with a screen in the background displaying a campaign message about healthcare and Medicaid.]()
OUR FOUNDER HOLDS A MEDICAID ADVOCACY EVENT IN HIS COMMUNITY WITH THE LEUKEMIA & LYMPHOMA SOCIETY - INSPIRING US TO BEGIN NON-PARTISAN ADVOCACY WORK
-
![A person wearing a black cap and black T-shirt playing a white electric guitar, smiling, with a background projection of a beach scene.]()
WE HOLD OUR FIRST OFFICIAL FUNDRAISING CONCERT
