Robbie Smith (and Naming The Twins) Need Your Help

In recent weeks, and in very sudden turn of events, Robbie Smith, musical partner of Kathleen Glauser -- both of Naming the Twins, landed in hospital, facing the battle of his life. The harmonising folk duo from Shelburne, Nova Scotia, had to cancel a 26 date tour through the United States, that was scheduled to start January 10.

This fundraising campaign is twofold...

First, finances attached to this tour included the cost of applying for a US work visa, as well as the recording, production, manufacturing and publicity associated with the new CD they were touring -- Sing the Winter Away -- the lion's share of the sales of which were going to be at the now cancelled shows. All of this, in addition to the significant lost income from the concerts themselves, which will not be happening.

We are hoping to help Robbie and Kathleen now, by shoring them up financially to compensate for this great financial blow. The contributions gathered through this campaign will help to support the 'Twins as they navigate this urgently difficult time. 

Second... and this one's a difficult ask...
There are little if any finances available to help cover the costs -- whether associated with Robbie's end of life care, including final rent and utilities, as well as the management and relegation of his estate -- or with a long recovery process. Your help in supporting this campaign will make it possible for these difficult tasks to be carried out with care.

The requested amount has been intentionally set to $1, because any amount at all, is gratefully appreciated.

This is what has happened: late in December, Robbie was taken to Yarmouth Regional Hospital in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, where he was confronted with a stage 4, incurable cancer diagnosis. On January 1st, 2019, in a Facebook group created to keep fans and friends updated on Robbie's health situation, Kathleen wrote, "It is with profound sadness that we accept the diagnosis of stage 4, incurable cancer. HCC is hepatocellular carcinoma, a rare type of liver cancer usually found in people with liver disease. Many of you know that for years Robbie has lived with Primary Biliary Cirrhosis with his main symptom being extreme fatigue. The cancer has spread to his lung and his spinal column and up into the vena cava which is the main vein that takes the blood from the liver up into the heart. Due to restricted blood flow there is now a blood clot in the vena cava just outside his heart. It has been heart wrenching to watch Robbie struggle with so much pain as the nurses worked with the doctors to get the medications where they needed to be."


Here are some of the ways you can help:

- contribute as generously as your means permit, either directly or through this campaign;

- go to www.namingthetwins.com and purchase the ‘Twins latest CD, 'Sing The Winter Away';

- share both this campaign AND the CD purchase link, to help spread the word.

Please note: The funds generously contributed to, and gathered through this campaign will be administered by Nicole Colbeck of little acorn music management (Ottawa, ON, Canada). In turn, one hundred percent of the funds will be deposited into an account co-managed by Nicole Colbeck and Mary Stocks (Lunenburg, NS, Canada) with the express goal of being provided in their entirety, and made available to Kathleen Glauser, in managing  Robbie's medical, palliative and end of life care. If you have any questions or concerns, please direct them to [email redacted]. Thank you.

If you prefer to donate directly into the account that has been set up for these purposes, on Robbie's behalf, please email [email redacted] for necessary details.

For each donation of $40 or more, please send your mailing address to [email redacted] and we will make sure to drop a CD in the mail to you.

And finally, thank you.
Together, we are indeed strong.

"And so we bid you join in song
We bid you rise and sing along
Though weak alone – together strong…
And so we bid you come join in song"
~ R. Smith & K. Glauser, Caroling On