Namesake Fund of Waylon Jennings Wages Battle Against Diabetes.

In 2002, country music legend Waylon Jennings, passed away at the age of 64 due to complications of diabetes. Now his wife and son, Jessi Colter and Shooter Jennings, are teaming up with Phoenix-based Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) on a charitable initiative to help further research and bring an end to the struggle with diabetes.

“I am honored to put Waylon’s name behind TGen’s diabetes research efforts. I have met the researchers and am confident that donations in Waylon’s memory are an investment that will lead to better ways of preventing and detecting the disease.”-Jessi Colter

The Waylon Fund is intended to support state-of-the-art research into the genetic and genomic origins of diabetes. The goal of this research is to produce more effective treatments and improve the quality of life of diabetes patients. The TGen foundation is thankful to Jessi and Shooter for allowing the name of their beloved husband and father for use through the foundations initiative.

“TGen is extremely grateful to the family of Waylon Jennings, who have so generously allowed his name to be the inspirational centerpiece of this promising new research effort.”-TGen Foundation President Michael Bassoff.

Within the country music industry, support is already being given to The Waylon Foundation. Broadcast Music Inc. (BMI), Ernest Tubb Record Shops, and Music News Nashville have already joined forces with the cause.

You can also get involved! To learn more about The Waylon Fund click here.