Hifidelity67 said:

didnt p pay him well whys he need a gofund?

unless p payed him 6 figures a yr, john would still need money. medical expsenses are obscenly expensive and he has his first wife and 1 living child(i think) to still look after.

Hifidelity67 said:

So all the wealthier friends he may have in droves cant help enormously vs us who arent rich?

There's no minimum donation on gofundme - you can give $1, $5, or nothing at all.

Hifidelity67 said:

didnt p pay him well whys he need a gofund?

John Blackwell has said in interviews that Prince paid him exceedingly well, but that doesn't mean that the man has hundreds of thousands of dollars in the bank. Right now, the main priority is stabilizing him there in Japan and getting him back home for further treatment, possibly surgery. Depending on the method of transport, it could cost a fortune just to bring him home for further treatment. It seems that he has a very long, expensive road ahead of him. I am hopeful that many of his musician friends will begin writing 4- or 5-figured checks to put his GoFundMe account over the top. I'm sure there must be some health insurance, as well, but that will not cover everything, particularly living expenses during his treatment and recuperation.

[Edited 7/9/16 15:30pm]

FlyOnTheWall said:

Hifidelity67 said:

didnt p pay him well whys he need a gofund?

John Blackwell has said in interviews that Prince paid him exceedingly well, but that doesn't mean that the man has hundreds of thousands of dollars in the bank. Right now, the main priority is stabilizing him there in Japan and getting him back home for further treatment, possibly surgery. Depending on the method of transport, it could cost a fortune just to bring him home for further treatment. It seems that he has a very long, expensive road ahead of him. I am hopeful that many of his musician friends will begin writing 4- or 5-figured checks to put his GoFundMe account over the top. I'm sure there must be some health insurance, as well, but that will not cover everything, particularly living expenses during his treatment and recuperation.

[Edited 7/9/16 15:30pm]

Without knowing the exact region of the reported tumors, it's hard to intelligently speak on his prognosis, but I'm told that when paralysis is involved, the chances of a full recovery can be slim. Thus, I pray that his family is doing their due diligence in researching the best team of surgeons that money can buy. Only the best neurosurgeons will do. Coupled with his strong will, this is his best hope of ever drumming again, particularly at the virtuoso level.

John and I emailed several times when he was with Prince. He is the kindest, sweetest, warmest man, very sincere. We lost touch around the time he lost his daughter. He and his family have been through some very difficult times and I am so sorry to hear about this. I donated to his GoFundMe account what I could afford, just wish it could be more. He deserves all the love and prayers that people are sending him, and then some!

Praying for John and his family and friends.

RaspBerryGirlFriend said:

Damn, hope this is just a false alarm, he's such a great drummer and he seemed like such a warm and lovely person in that interview he gave after Prince's death. Maybe it would be a good idea for the mods to put the Gofundme link on the news section on the front page, that way a lot more people would probably see it.

If Prince Were Still Alive, John Blackwell and His Family Would Not Have to Solicit Donations...

.

I'm surprised he couldn't get good healthcare in Japan.

Our neighbor was visiting there a few years ago, had a heart attack and the Japanese doctors put a stent in to open an aorta.

Even though his American health insurance didn't cover it, his share of the bill was only $2200.

Japan's system covered the vast majority of the bill.2

Then, a couple of years later, he had the same problem in another aorta. Even with a good health insurance plan, his share of the bill was $18,000.

Also: don't forget about health insurance. Blackwell was probably an independent contractor but could get his own insurance. I hope he did.

Best wishes to him. I'm just surprised they're moving him out of Japan.

laytonian said:

.

I'm surprised he couldn't get good healthcare in Japan.

Our neighbor was visiting there a few years ago, had a heart attack and the Japanese doctors put a stent in to open an aorta.

Even though his American health insurance didn't cover it, his share of the bill was only $2200.

Japan's system covered the vast majority of the bill.2

Then, a couple of years later, he had the same problem in another aorta. Even with a good health insurance plan, his share of the bill was $18,000.

Also: don't forget about health insurance. Blackwell was probably an independent contractor but could get his own insurance. I hope he did.

Best wishes to him. I'm just surprised they're moving him out of Japan.

According to his wife's statement, they do have insurance, but it will only reimburse, meaning they must first pay expenses up-front. They probably want to bring him home because, well, it's home. The cost of his family travelling to and from Japan would become exorbitant. For instance, they can't even afford for her to fly to Japan to bring him home on the ambulance aircraft, along with two attending physicians, which will cost $50,000 alone. Every dime is needed for the medical expenses. I just pray that he will have a team of the finest, most cutting edge brain surgeons in the world. That is his best hope for a full recovery.

FlyOnTheWall said:

laytonian said:

.

I'm surprised he couldn't get good healthcare in Japan.

Our neighbor was visiting there a few years ago, had a heart attack and the Japanese doctors put a stent in to open an aorta.

Even though his American health insurance didn't cover it, his share of the bill was only $2200.

Japan's system covered the vast majority of the bill.2

Then, a couple of years later, he had the same problem in another aorta. Even with a good health insurance plan, his share of the bill was $18,000.

Also: don't forget about health insurance. Blackwell was probably an independent contractor but could get his own insurance. I hope he did.

Best wishes to him. I'm just surprised they're moving him out of Japan.

According to his wife's statement, they do have insurance, but it will only reimburse, meaning they must first pay expenses up-front. They probably want to bring him home because, well, it's home. The cost of his family travelling to and from Japan would become exorbitant. For instance, they can't even afford for her to fly to Japan to bring him home on the ambulance aircraft, along with two attending physicians, which will cost $50,000 alone. Every dime is needed for the medical expenses. I just pray that he will have a team of the finest, most cutting edge brain surgeons in the world. That is his best hope for a full recovery.

If I were faced with this choice, I think I would go to Japan to bring my husband home and worry about the money later.

Wow. Just reading about this. Get Well soon!

I remember first seeing this brother drum years ago

in our hometown for Cameo.

FlyOnTheWall said:

If Prince Were Still Alive, John Blackwell and His Family Would Not Have to Solicit Donations...

But P is not here...and Blackwell and his family are in dire straits right now. Please help if you can. His wife issued the following statement on his Facebook page two days ago.

I was scheduled to fly to Japan today to accompany my husband on his flight back to Florida, whenever the hospital releases him in the next days. But, Doctors strongly recommend that he flies with 2 doctors on an air ambulance, if any emergency happens on the plane, because of high altitude and long hours of the flight, that may press his brain.

I decided to cancel my flight, because we need all the money possible to make sure he gets an air ambulance to be transported to Florida, I wish I could have medical training to assist him in a case of an emergency in the air.

Thanks God John has very good friends in Japan that are assisting him with everything he needs while in the hospital. Also, I want to recognize all the donors who entered on the donations link to make their contribution. Thank you so much.

We have medical insurance which began exactly on July the 1st. (the same day that John was admitted in the hospital in Japan).... But, they are telling us that they will not pay the hospital expenses upfront. They are telling us to pay at the time of the release, and then we will get a reimbursement in the next 30 days. And, about the air ambulance, the quote we received form the hospital in Japan was $40,000 US Dollars.

We are calling once again for your compassion and solidarity to share and donate on this GoFundMe link I created to cover John's medical and everyday expenses. We really need it, now that he is ready to fly back home, this is the inconvenience we are facing.

Thank you for reading and for all that each of you are doing to help in this unpredictable situation.

John Blackwell was diagnosed with two brain tumors, and at this point we still do not have any details of how they could be treated. As a result of this, my husband is paralyzed on his left arm and leg. He received some sessions of physical therapy in the hospital, where he feels a little of improvement in the leg.

Here is the link: https://www.gofundme.com/...lackwellJr
Please share,‪#‎ThankYou‬, ‪#‎weneedyou‬ ‪#‎heneedsyou‬
‪#‎JohnBlackwellJr‬ ‪#‎gofundme‬ ‪#‎drums‬

Thank you,

Yaritza Cambero Blackwell

This is the latest information. It would be great if someone could fly his wife to Japan to bring him home for treatment.

FlyOnTheWall said:

FlyOnTheWall said:

If Prince Were Still Alive, John Blackwell and His Family Would Not Have to Solicit Donations...

But P is not here...and Blackwell and his family are in dire straits right now. Please help if you can. His wife issued the following statement on his Facebook page two days ago.

This is the latest information. It would be great if someone could fly his wife to Japan to bring him home for treatment.

Prayers are needed.

Mr. Blackwell's wife just posted this update about his upcoming trip home to a South Florida medical center.

My husband is finally getting home on Monday the 18th., after waiting for 7 days for approval from the insurance company, who denied us the coverage in the first attempt.

Once in Tampa, he will be heading to the Tampa General Hospital, where the board of Neurologists of the University of South Florida (USF) will be waiting for him.

Thank you for your unconditional support to help, donate, pray and pass the message. We really appreciate it.

And last but not least, thanks God, because every step in this process he has been present, guiding us and giving us the hope and help we need.

Sincerely,



Yaritza Cambero Blackwell
Wife

This is the #gofundme for #johnblackwell #drummer
http://www.gofundme.com/JohnBlackwellJr

FlyOnTheWall said:

Bless John and his family during this difficult time

Please contribute to his medical GoFundMe account.

https://www.gofundme.com/...lackwellJr

Successful surgery and a speedy recovery

John was the epitome of NPG and nobody plays the drums better than Blackwell for the NPG.

luv4u said:

Successful surgery and a speedy recovery

dear lord yes. and safe travels home. send peace to his family,too.

From Shelby J's FB page today:

"UPDATE on My Beautiful Musical brother John Blackwell💜🙏🏾 PRAISE GOD His Surgery went WELL & he is Recovering! YAAAAY🎉😊 I got word from Yaritza (his AMAAAZING wife) who is Right by his side & says he is Smiling & Already regaining some Strength & Movement in his arm and leg! Please continue to Lift our brother UP IN PRAYER & Contribute what U can to his Go Fund Me Medical Account💗💗🎼🎼 God is A HEALER & Still in the MIRACLE BIZNESS!!! YES YES YES!!!! ‪#‎prayforJohnBlackwell‬‪#‎NPG4LIFE‬ ‪#‎SupportUrFriendz‬"

CherryMoon57 said:

From Shelby J's FB page today:

"UPDATE on My Beautiful Musical brother John Blackwell💜🙏🏾 PRAISE GOD His Surgery went WELL & he is Recovering! YAAAAY🎉😊 I got word from Yaritza (his AMAAAZING wife) who is Right by his side & says he is Smiling & Already regaining some Strength & Movement in his arm and leg! Please continue to Lift our brother UP IN PRAYER & Contribute what U can to his Go Fund Me Medical Account💗💗🎼🎼 God is A HEALER & Still in the MIRACLE BIZNESS!!! YES YES YES!!!! ‪#‎prayforJohnBlackwell‬‪#‎NPG4LIFE‬ ‪#‎SupportUrFriendz‬"

That is wonderful news!

Wow, this is sad news. What some people go though Get well John.

CherryMoon57 said:

From Shelby J's FB page today:

"UPDATE on My Beautiful Musical brother John Blackwell💜🙏🏾 PRAISE GOD His Surgery went WELL & he is Recovering! YAAAAY🎉😊 I got word from Yaritza (his AMAAAZING wife) who is Right by his side & says he is Smiling & Already regaining some Strength & Movement in his arm and leg! Please continue to Lift our brother UP IN PRAYER & Contribute what U can to his Go Fund Me Medical Account💗💗🎼🎼 God is A HEALER & Still in the MIRACLE BIZNESS!!! YES YES YES!!!! ‪#‎prayforJohnBlackwell‬‪#‎NPG4LIFE‬ ‪#‎SupportUrFriendz‬"

Thanks for the good news! I sent a few bucks.