James Taylor, wife donate $1 million to MGH during COVID-19 pandemic

BOSTON — Boston native James Taylor and his wife Kim have donated $1 million to Massachusetts General Hospital to support their efforts battling coronavirus.

The gift was announced Wednesday morning in a tweet by MGH.

According to a press release, the donation will allow the hospital to direct resources where they are needed most.

“There is no question that it’s a point of pride for New Englanders to claim the MGH as their hospital – our hospital – and this is especially true today with the threat coming from a new and insidious virus,” said James Taylor. “Kim and I want to be part of this fight. We have been so inspired by the courage and sacrifice of the health care heroes in the trenches who are working so hard to protect us all.”

The donation will also support the MGH President’s Emergency Response Fund created in the wake of the Boston Marathon bombing to provide resources that can be deployed quickly to support immediate needs.

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For the coronavirus pandemic, these funds are supporting the development of in-house testing, the establishment of a coronavirus hotline, purchasing personal protective equipment and space for coronavirus patients in the hospital.

“The generosity of James and Kim Taylor will not only help Mass General respond to this outbreak but will also provide a meaningful morale boost to our caregivers, the many staff who support them, and the scientists who are working to defeat this scourge,” said Peter L. Slavin, MD, president of the MGH.

Both James and Kim Taylor have deep ties to MGH. James was born there and his father completed his residency in internal medicine and served as chief resident at the location. Kim served on the board of MassGeneral Hospital for Children for the past five years.

In 2016, the Taylors performed at a benefit event for MGH and helped raise $2.6 million for the MGH Cancer Center.

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