Brass Tacks Help for our Kickass Friend Kerry Porth

My name is Andi (the one on the right side of the picture). I quite loathe pictures of me (taken or shown), but I love my BFF Kerry Porth enough to put my own discomfort about that aside.

If you're seeing this, chances are you know & love Kerry Porth too. You know her as a tireless activist, writer & one of BC's very best co-conspirators for social change, renowned for her academic expertise, her wry AF humour, & the humility she brings about her own lived experiences.

You know her for 20 years of working in Vancouver's trenches of Inclusive feminism, sex worker rights, drug user rights, trans rights - human rights.

You know her for her extensive work in public education, research, policy change, systemic advocacy... from lecture podiums to leading the annual parade of red umbrellas through the streets or testifying in a charter challenge in Canada's Supreme Court.

From grassroots committees to board rooms, to print media, podcast interviews, guest editorials & even comics, you know Kerry has been there- & she still is, at Pivot & Living in Community .

Kerry is just my BFF - we met as activists over 20 years ago, but bonded over our respective geeky predispositions, word-nerdery, working poverty, mommyhood & other bestie-grade silliness.

Whether you can personally appreciate string theory or punning in the Queen's English or not, if you ever met or worked with or listened to her I know you love Kerry as much as I do.

This week, two days before her 60th birthday, Kerry was diagnosed with bile duct cancer. This is a rare form of cancer. In the coming weeks, she'll need extensive medical exams & minimally one major surgery. This means unexpected time off work, a sizeable dent in her income & increased situational precarities none of us want for her.

She's always been there for us, so let's all pony up & give Kerry some much deserved financial peace of mind while she moves through this incredibly stressful medical situation. Any & all amounts - one time, bi-weekly or monthly - will help greatly.

Thanks so much for helping our dear friend & colleague Kerry get through this!!