Honorees recognized for decades of support of patients
in healthcare facilities across the country
Musicians On Call (MOC), a nonprofit that brings live and recorded music to the bedsides of patients in healthcare facilities, presented long-time supporters Alissa Pollack and Gavin DeGraw with the Leadership in Music and Music Heals Awards, respectively, during a VIP reception in the lobby of the Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden. The event raised over $140,000 for the organization’s programs in New York and across the country.
“Music has always played an important role in my life, both personally and professionally. Some of the fondest memories I have with my father were centered around music, and I knew when he passed that I wanted to honor his memory in a way that was special to both of us. I am so thankful for the opportunity to continue his legacy through the Jason Pollack Bedside Performance Program and to be part of Musicians On Call’s mission to help heal through the power of music,” said Alissa Pollack, “This organization holds a special place in my heart and to be recognized in this way, alongside my favorite musician and friend Gavin DeGraw, is something I will always treasure.”
Pollack, iHeartMedia’s EVP of Global Music Marketing and Musicians On Call Board member, established and funded the Jason Pollack Bedside Performance Programin 2014, which, to date, has performed for more than 8,500 patients, families and caregivers at City of Hope in Los Angeles. During the event Pollack announced that the program will expand to her hometown of Staten Island later this year. In 2017 she helped launch Musicians On Call’s Bedside Performance Program at The Brooklyn Hospital Center’s Pediatric Units and sponsored all of the organization’s Project Playback sessions for the year. Through these visits, pediatric patients in Nashville, New York and L.A. wrote and recorded original songs with Volunteer Musicians. Pollack has also connected artists like Katy Perry, Barbra Streisand and New Kids on the Block to Musicians On Call and has raised nearly $500,000 for the organization.
Multi-platinum recording artist Gavin DeGraw has been an avid supporter of Musicians On Call for the past decade and has performed for hundreds of individuals at hospitals in L.A., New York and Nashville. He helped Pollack and Musicians On Call launch the Jason Pollack Bedside Performance Program at City of Hope and has also helped launch programs in Denver and Brooklyn.
“Time is our most precious commodity, but we all find ways to make time for the things that are important to us. Alissa and Gavin are two of the busiest people I know, but they always have time to help bring the healing power of music to patients through Musicians On Call, which is so inspiring. They are two of our most devoted champions and have both brought immeasurable joy to thousands of patients in healthcare facilities across the country,” said Musicians On Call President Pete Griffin, “We are humbled and grateful for their generosity and belief in our mission and it was our honor to celebrate them through this special event.”
A Night to Celebrate the Healing Power of Music was sponsored by Salesforce, iHeartMedia, Southwest Airlines®, Hilton, Grit Capital Partners, RCA, Hard Rock Heals Foundation, Warner Brothers Records, Greenberg Traurig and Full Stop Management. In 2019 Musicians On Call will celebrate 20 years of delivering the healing power of music and has performed for more than 650,000 individuals nationwide.