Help Rich Beat Cancer

Rich Cali is the kindest & truest gem of a person. He is a loyal friend, selfless and humble, full of care and love for all those around him. You can count on him without a single doubt.

Last summer he began to fall ill. Things seemed relatively benign at first - he was fatigued, a little short of breath. But throughout the fall it began to worsen. He began experiencing painful headaches, daily fevers, muscle spasms and cramps, and increased fatigue. He could no longer exercise or walk very far with our dog Ruby. Before this, he was a high-cardio trail runner! But he was getting winded from a flight of stairs.

By the winter, he had developed a chronic cough, his fatigue continued to worsen, and he began feeling painfully bloated all the time, regardless of diet. I couldn’t even hug him without causing pain. He attempted a radical diet change, searching for potential allergens or other issues, but all fresh food had begun to taste metallic. He lost a large amount of weight and became jaundiced.

In March, his doctor ordered cat scans and ultrasounds that revealed lesions on his lungs, liver, and spleen. She gave a preliminary diagnosis of metastatic cancer and said Rich needed to see an oncologist immediately. We were devastated.

We got an appointment a week later, but that wasn’t soon enough. His doctor called us and told us we needed to act right now, so wound up rushing to the ER. He was admitted to the hospital on 3/20/23. I credit Rich being alive today to that phone call from his doctor, and the incredible care he has received from NY Presbyterian/Weill Cornell hospital.

After four separate biopsies, he was diagnosed with diffuse B cell lymphoma on 4/4/23. He began chemo that night. If all goes well, he will finally get to leave the hospital on Friday 4/7.

Over the next 6 months, we will be back and forth from our home in Kingston to the hospital in NYC for treatment. He will be getting better, but we have a long road ahead…

Rich will be out of work more or less until the end of August. He currently runs Monument hv, a gallery and studio space he opened up in the fall of 2021. Monument is a special place, we’ve exhibited artists from all over the world, amassed a special collection of books and hand-made wares for sale, and hosted all kinds of events from noise performances to film screenings to workshops with local youth. Monument intends to use art as a platform for community development & relationship-building, a way to come together and connect beyond divisions. We have several exhibitions lined up for the next few months, but these are now up in the air while Rich works on growing healthy once more.

Richie has been unable to work since early March, and we’re not sure when he will be able to get back to it. We’re hoping that this fundraiser will help us to cover any medical bills that his insurance won’t pay for, and to contribute to our monthly bills while Rich is out of work.

Richie is the last person who would ask for any help, but he is worth more than words can say.

Sally

The fundraiser was started for Rich Cali, who was recent diagnosed with cancer, and organized by Colin Holloway. The donations raised will go towards Rich while he is unable to work, to help aid in paying hospital bills as well as rent and bills for his house and rent and bills for his business until he is recovered back on his feet. Thank you.