Kalopsia

On April 1, 2020, my good friend Tonya was diagnosed with invasive lobular carcinoma, an uncommon type of breast cancer and one that has the potential to spread to the lymph nodes and other areas of the body. Prior to that, after her run in her stage play "Anita Berber Is Dead", Tonya discovered five lumps in her left breast which initially she thought were normal, but when they didn't go away she went to the doctor to have them checked. As the pandemic took hold around the world, she was told the words no one ever wants to hear, "You have cancer."

If I can point to one person and say, "That is the healthiest person I've ever known," it would be Tonya. An environmentally conscious vegan for the past twenty-seven years, she doesn't put bad stuff in her body, and as a professional dancer she knows her body well. It was a shock when the doctor told her she had "innumerable" tumors and recommended a double mastectomy.

Due to the pandemic, there was a moratorium on standard treatments, and she had to wait two and a half months after diagnosis for any traditional treatment. While she waited, she found integrative, complementary options to begin right away, and when standard treatment opened up to her, she started that too.

The standard treatments that she had to wait for are only partly covered by her insurance. All complementary treatments she's being given she has to pay for entirely out of pocket. 

Live entertainment, Tonya's bread and butter, has been shut down since March, and Tonya has fallen behind on her rent while attempting to pay for cancer treatments with unemployment checks. She wants nothing more than what we all want right now -- for life to go back to normal -- and for her that includes having to heal from her cancer. We can help her! The funds you donate will be used to assist in covering her out-of-pocket medical expenses and day-to-day living expenses during this scary time. 

Life is different for all of us than it was before, and for her more so than for most of us. The isolation of the pandemic during cancer means not being able to be accompanied by loved ones when going to her doctors, along with the financial distress of a household with no income for several months. We greatly appreciate any contribution you can make! And if you don't mind sharing the campaign link on your social media, we would appreciate that as well! I'll update this page with her progress going forward. (Additionally, she shares details about her cancer journey personally on her Patreon.)

Donations are going to her through a 501c3 nonprofit, Kalopsia, so your donation is tax deductible. 

Thank you!