Crossroads Fundraiser to Benefit Sick Cranford Teen

Jill Cagney, a local resident and independent recording artist, is donating the door money from her concert to help a family friend’s son. 

Michael Wielgus, 14, has been recently diagnosed with a brain tumor — a recurrence after overcoming a previous brain tumor — and has to once again go to the hospital for treatments.

When Cagney discovered this, she and her son, a good friend of Michael’s, decided it would be best donate all her door money to help offset the expenditures.

A few years back, Cagney explains, a family friend had a medical issue with her son, and the parking and travel expenses to the hospital and back compounded the difficult period.

“It’s so expensive, the travel back and forth,” Cagney says, so she hopes the money raised will help alleviate, if just a little, of the stress when taking Michael for his treatments.

Cagney realizes that this has been a tough time for the family, who could not bring themselves to speak about their son’s difficult time.

“I can’t do anything right now,” Michael’s mother said to Cagney when asked to be interviewed and get her perspective. 

Cagney speaks very highly of Michael.

“I couldn’t find a nicer, more polite, sweet kid than Michael," Cagney said, adding that she appreciates his good nature and willingness to help her whenever he comes over to visit her son. 

Cagney also commends the Cranford community for stepping in and helping every way they can. A prayer service was given for Michael at St. Michael’s Church a few weeks back when he was first diagnosed and every pew in the church was filled.

“Every time something like this happens in Cranford, everybody comes together, and that to me is amazing,” Cagney said.

When friends and neighbors discovered Cagney’s plans of contribution, phone calls and emails were sent out to alert residents of the benefit concert to assist Michael through his struggle. The community, family and friends have been the strongest force to keep the family strong, and, although private, the Wielgus family greatly appreciates all the support given over the last few weeks Cagney said.

The benefit concert will take place Aug. 23 at in Garwood. In order to raise as much money as possible for the Wielgus family, the cover charge will be $10, up from the usual $6.
For those who cannot attend the concert, but would like to make a donation, Cagney plans to collect any funds on the family’s behalf. Contributors can contact Cagney at: jill.cagney@verizon.net.

Cagney released her first CD, “Sometimes I Tell The Truth” produced by Jason Rubal, in 2009. Her latest CD, "It's All In How You See Things," was released in April. According to Cagney's website, she "does not bend the truth to be nice, get along with people or fit into society. In her music she writes about the things most of us would not say out loud; then she sings them in public. With songs about friends who always ask but never take advice, Facebook addiction, wanting to curse someone out, forgiveness, the sweetness of falling in love and the pain of losing a cell phone, Jill’s music speaks to our everyday struggles, draws us in and makes us say 'me too!'”

Cagney began writing songs as a little girl. As a teenager, Cagney  taught herself to play guitar. She also sang in choirs all though her school years, and plays many different instruments including fife, French horn and piano. Her influences include artists such as her influences as Tori Amos, The Pretenders, Liz Phair, U2 and Joni Mitchell.