Jay Clayton Fundraiser

YOU MAY NOW SHARE this GoFundMe on Social Media! Read-On...

(As of 11/11/23 please note that Jay’s cancer is progressing. For a fuller picture please read the 11/23 Update Post.)

Updated 10/11/ 23: Our Beloved and Brilliant Jay Clayton was diagnosed with lung cancer in December of '2022 and as some of you know, she then entered aggressive treatment. She was at home first, navigating an outpatient journey. And then, as the Updates to this campaign chronicle, she had a stay at Vassar Hospital and then, Mid Hudson Regional Hospital. She was then moved to the New Paltz Center in Rehab, with an intention of returning to home hospice. Jay was Discharged from NPC Rehab and as of 6/12/23 Jay returned back home in a beautifully organized home hospice environment coordinated by her daughter Dejha. Jay is presently as of 10/12/23 in the care of her daughter Dejha, her son Dov (who travels from Texas to help out), a Hospice nurse, the Hospice PT, private Aides, and a care-circle of local friends.

Many visitors* from near and far have rallied to extend that care-circle with love via visits and gifts mailed to her home (socks, creams, little knit caps, chocolates), all making her quality of life - tremendous.

*AS OF 10/11 due to the uptick in covid cases Dejha and Dov are putting a pause on visits. They will reach out when the time comes to resume visiting.

In the last months of the summer, Jay was given amazing offerings of live music in her home, as well. Scroll down to read the Updates on this GoFundMe Page for a chronicle of the journey. Jay has always been there for us. She needed us at her diagnosis, and she continues to need us, now.

Although this Team is no longer soliciting donations, many of you continue to send Jay funds and have an expressed a desire to keep the page open as an information Hub, as well. For that reason we include this overview and all the Updates. With gratitude, we thank you for raising double the goal and then some... for Jay's financial sense of security at a time of no income, and a scary crossroads. (10/11/23)

Jay’s primary source of income as a performer and teacher ceased in Dec. '22, and her family is rearranging their work lives to be fully present and care for their mom 24/7. Her daughter Dejha has relocated to New Paltz for the time being, to care for her mom. She is conducting incredible advocacy, and organizing visits from integrative caregivers, friends and family. Her son Dov is handling finances and has made numerous trips to New Paltz from his home in Texas, to give his mom love and support the family process. Various Medical, Home Care and Life related costs are devastating for anyone during cancer, rendered more so due to loss of income. The GoFundMe Funds are going towards 1.) All of Jay's living expenses, 2.) Jay's ongoing bills, 3.) Primary caregiver supports, 4.) Out-of-pocket bills *not* covered by Medicare or, supplemental insurance, 5.) Integrative Care Costs. The goal is now a sustainable Home Hospice with continued primary caregiver support and additional private nursing support. Cancer is a family disease and with that in mind, we reach out to you as part of Jay’s remarkable extended family of friends, colleagues, students, and other loved ones, for help.

PLEASE DO pass this Link on via Social Media AND email, sending it to the concentric circles of people you know who can support Jay at this time.

Since this campaign began many of Jay's musician and journalist friends have generously asked about sharing her news via their jazz Newsletters, jazz websites and print vehicles. The answer from Jay is now: YES. She is deeply moved by her jazz community.

We reached our original four-week fundraising goal of $50,000 in February '23 and are keeping the Page open because so many of you have expressed a desire to continue to Donate. With snail mail checks we have surpassed $100,000! For those of you who continue to donate we thank you: Every new donation you offer creates even greater security for Jay and her family.

If you prefer to donate with a check instead (and not to give through this GoFundMe fundraising website), you may send a check directly to Jay, made out to Jay Clayton. GoFundMe will direct inquiries to the Jay Clayton Fundraising Team.

All funds contributed towards Jay’s medical and related expenses are considered gifts and are not tax-deductible.

Jay was strongly resolved to move forward with chemotherapy having finished radiation, endured covid and healed well from an unexpected but necessary surgery. Update: Jay completed 1 round of chemotherapy. Chemotherapy was paused due to some health issues that arose. As of October '23 there is no plan to return to chemotherapy at this time. Jay is applying her life’s wisdom of living presently and lovingly, into and through this journey. “I’ll go one step at a time,” she has said.

Thank you for taking THIS fundraising step for Jay and embracing her family in this time of need.

With Gratitude,

Jay’s Cancer Fundraising Team

Katie Bull, Ayelet Rose Gottlieb, Kendra Shank, Andrea Wolper