Susan's Medical Fund
Donation protected
I foresaw this day in my early 30s but I didn't know how stunning a blow it would be...invincible me... diagnosed with cancer in three areas...it was a knockout.
I have been an artist my whole life and had a successful career supporting myself with my paintings and selling my work all over the country for over 40 years. I had a major set back eight years ago when I fell on my back from my van loading paintings in the rain after a show. This resulted in a painful pelvic fracture that healed improperly but couldn't keep me down. Despite the constant pain and a cane, I still managed to exhibit my work at over 45 shows and kept up with the best of them with the 3 am setups, long show hours and two-hour breakdowns. I kept my business afloat and perservered through the sun and rain despite the pain.
The past few years have taken their toll on my business and people don't seem as eager to spend money on art and I have had to resort to alternative lifesyles that I cultivated in the early days...campgrounds, WalMarts, rest stops with always an eye on the next show. But the future seems very bleak when for the past year I never even broke even.
And then the sucker punch...the tumors are malignant and require a long process of chemo and radiation. Mercy Hospital in Grand Rapids, MI took me in immediately and the process has started but I have had to cancel appointments because I don't have enough money to cover gas, food and living expenses. The hospital is 40 miles one way and I see that this will be a full time job. I never in a million years thought I would die for a roll of toilet paper...it's the simple things.
So I am fundraising for myself and my two dogs, Rocco and Rio, who don't want to lose their Mom...the money will be used to pay for everyday necessities that I used to take for granted thinking that I would work til the day I dropped dead at an art show. I need the funds immediately to keep moving forward in this process that, hopefully, will save my life. I desperately want to live to paint another day.
I know it's asking a lot to find it in your heart to contribute to my cause...but I have a grateful spirit and still believe in miracles.
I have been an artist my whole life and had a successful career supporting myself with my paintings and selling my work all over the country for over 40 years. I had a major set back eight years ago when I fell on my back from my van loading paintings in the rain after a show. This resulted in a painful pelvic fracture that healed improperly but couldn't keep me down. Despite the constant pain and a cane, I still managed to exhibit my work at over 45 shows and kept up with the best of them with the 3 am setups, long show hours and two-hour breakdowns. I kept my business afloat and perservered through the sun and rain despite the pain.
The past few years have taken their toll on my business and people don't seem as eager to spend money on art and I have had to resort to alternative lifesyles that I cultivated in the early days...campgrounds, WalMarts, rest stops with always an eye on the next show. But the future seems very bleak when for the past year I never even broke even.
And then the sucker punch...the tumors are malignant and require a long process of chemo and radiation. Mercy Hospital in Grand Rapids, MI took me in immediately and the process has started but I have had to cancel appointments because I don't have enough money to cover gas, food and living expenses. The hospital is 40 miles one way and I see that this will be a full time job. I never in a million years thought I would die for a roll of toilet paper...it's the simple things.
So I am fundraising for myself and my two dogs, Rocco and Rio, who don't want to lose their Mom...the money will be used to pay for everyday necessities that I used to take for granted thinking that I would work til the day I dropped dead at an art show. I need the funds immediately to keep moving forward in this process that, hopefully, will save my life. I desperately want to live to paint another day.
I know it's asking a lot to find it in your heart to contribute to my cause...but I have a grateful spirit and still believe in miracles.
Organizer
Susan Lane
Organizer
Saranac, MI