Medical GoFundMe launched for former Sleater-Kinney drummer Janet Weiss

Portland drummer and former Sleater-Kinney member Janet Weiss recently suffered a broken leg and fractured collar bone in a car accident near her home. Given the 12-week recovery time forced Weiss to cancel all of her upcoming tour dates with her bands Quasi and Slang, the artist’s sister, Julie, has launched a GoFundMe to help cover medical costs and other expenses during this time.

On the official fundraising page, Julie said that all donations will go towards “out-of-pocket medical bills, nursing care, physical therapy, the wheelchair ramp that was installed at her house, and paying for her monthly expenses while she can’t work”. She added that Janet’s “biggest concern now is that to fully heal, she needs to have the highest quality and most intense physical therapy possible to get her back into drumming shape”.

After the accident, Janet Weiss tweeted that she felt energised by the outpouring of support. “Great friends came through with expert care, keeping me comfortable, fed and entertained,” she wrote. “Three months in a wheelchair is going to be a challenge but you all inspire me to do my PT (physical therapy), rest up, stay healthy and get strong. I dream about playing the drums again. Plus, the election year is coming up quick, I need to be in fighting shape!”

Medical fundraisers make up one-third of all GoFundMe campaigns. Weiss’s campaign has already passed its initial $25,000 goal – to continue donating, head to GoFundMe.

Revisit our interview with Sleater-Kinney, speaking to the band both before and after Weiss’s departure.