Lil Rev and Family Raising Funds for His Wife’s Cancer Treatment: How To Help

Ukulele magazine friend and contributor Lil Rev—who performs and teaches across the country with his uke, harmonica, and warm smile—is taking a break from work to care for his wife Carol, who is in treatment for lung cancer. The Milwaukee-based family, which includes daughter Mariela, is raising money to pay for their mounting bills and loss of work. You can donate here.

As Carol shares on their gofundme.com account, which has raised nearly $45,000 at the time of writing, she is a longtime yoga instructor, massage therapist, and cranial sacral therapist. She writes: “In the recent months, I have been struggling to figure out why I was coughing so much and had many tests, most of which were inconclusive…until I had one that told me that I have cancer in my left lung. In the intervening weeks of waiting, it has now spread to the lymph and possibly one other place. We are shocked beyond belief, yet must remain optimistic like anyone in my position.”

Rev tells us via email that he’s had to cancel most of his upcoming gigs, but still plans to perform and lead workshops at the Milwaukee Ukulele Festival on November 21.

Rev is the author of many Hal Leonard Corporation instructional books and DVDs, including the Ukulele Method Book #1 & #2, 101 Licks for Ukulele, Essential Strums and Strokes for Ukulele, Easy Songs for Ukulele, Fiddle Tunes for Ukulele, and the Hal Leonard Baritone Ukulele Method.