Help Ron Whaley Fight Cancer

Ron is visited by many friends, family members, current and former members of the Phoenix Symphony. He enjoys the companionship and the music.


The healing power of music





Our dear friend Ron Whaley was recently diagnosed with metastatic lung cancer. Ron is a classical violinist and longtime member of the Phoenix Symphony.  At rehearsal two months ago, Ron walked on stage at Symphony Hall and his leg spontaneously fractured. Paramedics came to the hall and took Ron to Banner Medical Center, where he underwent emergency surgery. During surgery, the doctors discovered aggressive bone marrow cancer had weakened the bone. Shortly after surgery, Ron began chemotherapy and radiation. The combination of surgery, followed by chemotherapy and radiation has been very difficult for him to endure.


 
His wife Jeannie took off work to stay by his side and helped him every step of the way. This week Ron’s health insurance ended and Jeannie had to go back to work. Jeannie is very worried about leaving Ron home alone.
 
Friends of Ron Whaley have created this page for Ron and Jeannie because they are not the type to ask for help - they are salt of the earth, hardworking, generous, and private. They would prefer to be giving than receiving. They are great people in a very difficult situation.

Ron is a well-known violin instructor in the Phoenix area, and has inspired many people during his music career. He was concertmaster of the Orquestra del Noreste in Guadalajara, Mexico for two seasons, then served as assistant principal second violin with the Grand Rapids Symphony for five seasons. He has been a member of the Phoenix Symphony for over 35 years. He is a member of the Professional Musicians of Arizona Local 586 and serves on the Board of Directors.

Jeannie works with residents of an Alzheimer’s Care Center in north Phoenix. She is a positive and inspiring person. We hope to raise $15,000 to help them recover from the sudden loss of income, medical expenses, health insurance for Ron, medications, and costs of day to day living, and care for their special needs dog Riggins, who they rescued from the streets as a pup. All donations will go directly to Ron and Jeannie.
 
Please donate if  you can. Anything you can contribute to help relieve some of Jeannie’s burden so that she does not have to worry about the medical and household bills, and she can focus on caring for Ron. All contributions to this fund, large or small, will be greatly appreciated.  Please share this page, with friends, family and fellow musicians. Thank you so much.