Porter Robinson Starts Fund In Honor Of His Brother Defeating Cancer
In November 2016, Porter Robinson’s brother Mark was diagnosed with and hospitalized for a rare form cancer called Burkitt lymphoma. Through a combination specialist care, he went into remission in February 2017 and now lives cancer free (with regular check ups).
Porter is taking the opportunity now as his debut festival Second Sky approaches to launch the Robinson Malawi Fund. He explains:
“The survival rate for Burkitt lymphoma in the US is 90% or higher. But for kids in Malawi, where it’s much more common due to the connection between malaria and this form cancer, the survival rate can be as low as about 29%. One Mark’s doctors, Dr. Westmoreland, leads the pediatric cancer program that UNC operates in Malawi.
I’m starting a fund in cooperation with UNC to help improve the survival rate in that region so that those families won’t have to needlessly lose loved ones. In this case, more resources translates directly into higher survival rates.”
Mark’s doctor, Dr. Westmoreland, will have a booth at Second Sky to share information and accept donations for this cause. Porter will match all donations made at the festival. In addition, Porter and Goldenvoice are donating one dollar from each ticket sale for the sold-out event, and the festival’s online live stream will also feature a way to make donations.
If you’d like to get involved in supporting this cause, you can find more information here. You can see Porter Robinson and more at Second Sky in just a little over a week.