The twelfth annual Tampa Pig Jig happened on Saturday, October 21, 2023. Tampa Pig Jig is an annual fundraising event. Pig Jig raises funds for NephCure, the only nonprofit organization committed to funding research, improving treatment, and ultimately finding a cure for the debilitating kidney disease Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) and Nephrotic Syndrome. Since Pig Jig has started, the festival has raised millions of dollars for Nephcure.
Pig Jig first started out as a backyard barbeque with friends to raise money for Will Wellman, who was battling FSGS. It has turned into an event attracting thousands of people, featuring live music, a barbeque contest, drinks, and other small games to partake in. This year, country artist Riley Green, along with Brad Paisley and a few other artists, came together to put on a show during this event. Many people enjoy this time to spend with friends and family, eat good food, and participate in donating money for a good cause.
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Mary Stewart Mcgough (‘24) says, “Pig Jig is one of my family’s favorite events because we all get to come together from all different states to celebrate my cousin Will’s journey. Seeing how his journey started off with both his kidneys failing was hard and then his mom and brother both donated one their kidneys which both failed. Will continues to show and teach others how to live their best life on dialysis.”
@995QYK Great concert at Pig Jig! pic.twitter.com/qW5pDPvsBQ
— freddie cyman (@cpb021) October 24, 2023
Other than to bring support to Pig Jig, another community favorite in attending the festival is the barbeque contest. Isabelle Williams (‘24) says, “My dad competes every year in the bbq contest and gets our whole family to help out in the kitchen. It’s one of the things he looks forward to and I love getting to watch him compete.”
Pig Jig brings in an entire community together to show and give support to those who have been suffering from FSGS. Not only has Will’s story been shared throughout the community, but hundreds of others have benefited from the proceeds of Pig Jig. The festival will continue to bring in money and awareness for those battling FSGS.
