The family of famed “Funky Drummer” Clyde Stubblefield has released some heartwarming news in the wake of pop superstar Prince’s death. Stubblefield’s wife says that Prince surprised their family back in 2000, when they were suffering from the weight of $90,000 worth of medical bills that they didn’t know how they were going to pay.
According to Stubblefield’s wife, her husband had not yet reached Medicare age and he didn’t have health insurance when he was diagnosed with bladder cancer. As a result, they didn’t have a way to pay for his medical care, and although local musicians held a benefit concert and raised about $10,000, they still had another $70,000 or $80,000 worth of medical bills left unpaid.
That is when a representative for Prince got in touch with the Stubblefield family to tell them that Prince looked up to the Funky Drummer as a hero, and Prince wanted to pay for all of their outstanding medical bills. Prince’s representative told them to simply say how much they owed, they would wire the money and take care of the bill immediately. Just like that, the family’s medical bill troubles had been resolved. Prince only asked that the family keep it a secret who was behind the generous donation. Stubblefield says that he still cannot believe that it happened, but it was an honor.
This is a happy ending to an all-too-common story about medical debt. Not everyone can benefit from a wealthy admirer the way the Stubblefield’s did, however, and this is where bankruptcy proceedings can help. For New Jersey residents who are suffering from unpaid medical bills that they cannot afford to pay back, bankruptcy could be just the solution that can help them.
Source: Wisconsin State Journal, “Family: Prince paid off medical bills for Madison’s ‘Funky Drummer,’ Clyde Stubblefield,” Gayle Worland, April 27, 2016
