Dr. Anthony Needs Our Help!

Hi, I'm Craig Leavitt, and I'm fundraising on behalf of my dear friend and colleague, Valerie Anthony. "Dr. Anthony" to some and "Val" to others has been in tremendous pain for the past year. This has been completely debilitating for a usually active woman who is used to walking several miles/day. Currently, she is unable to sit or walk without pain. Standing in place is the only position she can tolerate, which isn't practical for a career educator who wants to interact with her students.

Several of our friends and colleagues volunteered to drive her to doctors' appointments this summer with her kneeling on the floorboard of our cars, instead of sitting. Following multiple doctor appointments and erroneous diagnoses, Dr. Anthony was finally able to get a clear diagnosis a few months ago. She is having "pelvic floor muscle spasms."

Physical therapy twice/week, trigger point injections, and nerve blocks have not helped. Instead of alleviating her suffering, these treatments seem to have increased the pain. Dr. Anthony's doctors at the Mayo Clinic are now recommending Botox injections. Despite three appeals to our insurance company and checking with Medicare, there is no funding option for this treatment aside from paying out of pocket.

No teacher I know has a spare $8,500 in their bank account. This is a scary expense for someone nearing retirement but who is not yet ready to retire. Therefore, we are reaching out to the many lives Dr. Anthony has impacted over the years through her stellar performances "treading the boards" and sharing her expertise with young thespians and budding playwrights. Those who know her can attest to the spirit of excellence with which she tackles every project. It is my sincere hope that the community she has served for decades will be able to return the favor in her time of need.

No amount is too small. For those who are unable to donate, we covet your warm thoughts, prayers and well-wishes as she begins treatment next week! Please share this with the former students she has touched. I don’t think any of us could calculate the plethora of students she has encountered in her career; however, I trust we can reach most of them with your shares on social media.

Any additional funds beyond our initial goal will go to cover Val’s basic living expenses. She has utilized all of her leave and will not be able to accrue more until she returns to work. If you would like to send a card or letter of encouragement, please address it to Dr. Valerie Anthony; c/o Douglas Anderson School of the Arts; 2445 San Diego Rd.; Jacksonville, FL 32207. We will ensure she receives them.

On behalf of her colleagues and the students assigned to Dr. Anthony's classes this school year, we thank you. We want her back soon to continue illuminating us with her brilliance!