Curing the Curator: Julie's Cancer

We write to you as friends and colleagues of Julie Roberts.  As you know, Julie served as the gallery director at the Ivy Tech John Waldron Arts Center for the past 10 years.  John was fortunate enough to entice Julie to take the dual challenges of developing opportunities and spaces for visual artists to display their work while enhancing the image of Ivy Tech as a true community partner when she agreed to accept in 2010.  What Julie accomplished in that role was even more than we could have envisioned. She created gallery opportunities for art students in K-12 and at Ivy Tech as well as for local and regional artists, and made the Ivy Tech galleries an integral part of the local arts scene.  She brightened our whole community with her smile, her charm, and, above all, her artistic excellence. Unfortunately, Julie’s employment ended on June 30 with the closure of the center by Ivy Tech.

What you may not know is that Julie has been battling Stage 2 breast cancer, and undergoing aggressive chemotherapy the past 7 months.  She now faces at least 6 more months of treatment: radiation, more surgery, rehab.  Her employer-paid medical coverage ended with her employment. She must now deal with the hardships of continuing under that same medical coverage at her personal expense so she may remain in the care of her current providers, and undergoing continued medical treatment for her cancer. 

We approached Julie for permission to reach out to friends and colleagues for help to meet those costs as she continues her fight.  Julie conservatively estimates that she needs $10,000 for expenses through her treatment.  Although she has been reluctant to ask for financial help, we are not reluctant to ask on her behalf.  That is why we have established the GoFundMe link on this message.

How can you help? 

First, won’t you please join us in reaching that goal by contributing $20, $50, $100, or whatever you can?  You can even donate anonymously if that is more comfortable for you.

Secondly, share this message and link to the GoFundMe site for Julie with your friends by email, FaceBook, and as many social media platforms as you use.  Even if they may not know Julie personally, your personal request, knowledge of your financial support, and your advocacy on her behalf may inspire them to help as well.

We know this is a difficult time, and many worthy causes need help right now.  We appreciate your time in reading our request and giving it your thoughtful consideration.  If you see fit to help us help Julie, we will be ever grateful.

Thank you.

Linda and John Whikehart