Community Rallies Around Coco Love Alcorn Following Cancer Diagnosis
Donors raised over $115,000 in 20 hours to support Owen Sound artist Coco Love Alcorn after her diagnosis with an aggressive cancer; treatment begins December 31.
The local community and music lovers across Canada are rallying to support Owen Sound-based singer-songwriter Coco Love Alcorn, who has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer.
A fundraising campaign launched on GoFundMe Monday night has already raised more than $115,000 in under 24 hours. The campaign aims to reach $140,000 to help Alcorn and her family cover the costs associated with her treatment and recovery process.
Alcorn underwent surgery on December 9, but doctors were unable to remove the entire tumour. She is now under the care of a specialized medical team in London, Ontario, and will begin a course of chemotherapy and immunotherapy on December 31.
The treatment plan includes multiple rounds of chemo, a second, more complex surgery, a hospital stay, and eight additional months of immunotherapy.
The diagnosis has forced Alcorn to cancel all upcoming performances, tours, and the recording of her next album. She has also paused her leadership of the Wonderland Singers, a community choir she leads in Owen Sound.
As an independent artist without access to employment insurance or sick leave, she is facing at least a year of intensive medical treatment and recovery with little to no income.
Alcorn is known for her decades-long career in music, having toured with artists such as Ani DiFranco, Burton Cummings, and Chantal Kreviazuk, and performed at Lilith Fair. She is also recognized for her work as a choir leader and community builder through music.
The fundraiser, created by longtime friend Emily Stupple, notes that Alcorn initially hoped to manage the diagnosis privately, but friends encouraged her to allow the wider community to step in.
“Coco is deeply committed to healing—but like anyone facing something this big, she is also scared and daunted at times,” reads the GoFundMe campaign description. “This GoFundMe is here so Coco can focus on healing, because financial stress should never be part of someone’s cancer journey.”
The campaign is currently trending on GoFundMe. Those wishing to contribute or follow updates can do so at: https://www.gofundme.com/f/SupportCocoThroughCancer
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