Play It Forward: The Ron Holloway Fund

Beloved musician and legendary saxophonist Ron Holloway has been a staple in the DC music scene for over 50 years. He has been a member of the Warren Haynes Band, Susan Tedeschi, Dizzy Gillespie, Gil Scott-Heron and Root Boy Slim. Since 2014, Ron Holloway has led his own band- The Ron Holloway Band, and over the years has been a special guest for dozens of bands ranging from rock to jam to jazz, bluegrass, funk, and everything in between.

He has made such an impact on his hometown of Washington, DC and the Jazz world that his image is immortalized in the D.C. Jazz Heroes Mural in D.C.'s Shaw Neighborhood (located at 624 T Street next to The Howard Theatre). In 2019, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton presented Holloway with a plaque from the US House of Representatives recognizing his "steadfast dedication to promoting and preserving music in Washington D.C."

In February 2025, Ron was hospitalized due to complications from an October 2024 injury. Unfortunately, that was just the beginning.

During his hospital stay, we found out he had not been eating for a while and doctors discovered a cancerous tumor that required surgery. Ron’s body was not processing nutrition for an extended period, which led to Wernicke’s disease—a condition that mimics dementia and has seriously impacted his memory and cognition.

“About 25% of Wernicke–Korsakoff patients make a full recovery with treatment, 50% make a partial recovery, and 25% require long-term care.”
— Alzheimer’s Society

Ron has been hospitalized (between hospital and rehab centers) ever since. We believe the surgery did remove all the cancer but this is being watched. Additionally, in July, Ron underwent another surgery to remove his spleen and developed pneumonia. As of today's GoFundMe launch date, he is back in the hospital recovering before he can return to a rehab center.

Being a lifelong musician has brought countless music lovers joy, but unfortunately has not provided substantial health insurance or savings in return. We are looking to raise:

Ron's performance future is unclear and we see a long road to recovery still ahead.

Many members of the global music community and local DC community have received hours of joy, connection, and healing through the music Ron has created.

We hope you'll Play It Forward during this time of need. If you're unable to contribute to the fund, we hope you'll share this GoFundMe with your social channels to help raise awareness.

Note- We are also coordinating an online auction and multiple fundraiser concerts. If you are a business or artist interested in participating, click here.

For GoFundMe: This fundraiser is being coordinated by very close friend and bandmate Jenny Langer. Funds will be used as described above for medical bills and cost of living post discharge from medical facilities. Funds are being raised for Ron Holloway and will be transferred to Holloway's stepdaughter, Natalie Suresch, who is coordinating his bills and medical payments while he is unable to.