Born in the pandemic, A Song for You Foundation is a unique grassroots arts not-for-profit that provides healing and comfort to patients (and their loved ones) at the end of their lives. Through personalized recorded songs, we honor the legacies patients leave behind while bringing the healing power of music to those in need whether in hospice, hospital, or home.
Songs are also written for First Responders & Health care workers who dedicate their lives to serving these patients.
In the pandemic, over a time span of 18 months, our artists wrote, recorded, and shared over 150 songs—some covers, some originals of the Artists, but most of which were personalized recorded songs, written from scratch, based on the stories of each individual patient as told through their families. Songs written for First Responders—including a staff as small as 150 Nurses in a hospice in NYC, to a song written for a healthcare system of 15,000 Nurses in Idaho at Christmas, gave us a chance to say thank you to the frontline workers. In 2024, our Founder performed at the Grand Ole Opry House, in a private event honoring 1500 First Responders.
Following a most generous response from the community at large & seeing a need to expand beyond the pandemic, A Song For You initiative has expanded and grown into
A Song For You Foundation, a 501c3 charity in NYC, writing for individuals and families across the country. In a few years time, we have attracted Grammy award-winning artists & nominees, along with local, touring, and internationally awarded artists to our simple mission of celebrating a person's life & legacy in song.
This year as we go forward with our mission of keeping songs free to families, we hope to grow our Artist Network, build our Executive Board, and spread our mission even further to deepen our impact. 🤍
In 18 months' time, A Song For You sent more than 150 original & cover songs to patients in hospital & hospice across the country.
Hospitals & Hospices we are sending (or have sent) songs to:
Hospice of the Valley, Phoenix, AZ (Partnership)
Transitions LifeCare – Raleigh, NC (Partnership)
Ryan House, Phoenix, AZ
Mission House, Redwood City, CA
University of California Davis, Davis, CA (Partnership)
AMC Maple Tree Nursing Home, Sacramento, CA
St. Luke’s Healthcare, Boise, ID
Misericordia Home, Chicago, IL
VNS Health, New York City, NY
COPE, Long Island, NY
Maimonides Hospital, Brooklyn, NY
BCW Treehouse, Scarsdale, NY
Evergreen Health & Home, Detroit, MI
Allumine Hospice & Home Care, College Station, TX
Loyola of Chicago, Chicago, IL
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Emily Cavanagh
Founder & Artistic Director
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Dr. James R. Nitzkorski, MD
Executive Board Member
Advisory Board
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Michael Jordan
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Brian Frumberg
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Lisa Maddock
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Jeff Margolies
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Kartik Raju
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Mark La Rosa
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Sarah Walker
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Thilan Kiridena
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Michael Ambrosini
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Shannon Allman
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Buzz Knight
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Brian Adamczyk
Volunteers
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Jorge Diaz
Website Design & Development
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Vanni Tach
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Livvy Austin
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Vanja Lakic
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Lisa Brown
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Anneliese Evelyn
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Joy Zou
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Morgan Stanislaus
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Gary MacDougal Jr.
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Oliver Schofield
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Nicky Punales
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Ruby Sachs
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Bridget Both
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Jen Swanson
A massive thanks to Gary MacDougal & his belief in this project.