Mary's ❤ Fund

A few weeks ago, my mom, Mary Shelton, went in for what she thought would be a routine heart test. Instead, we received the shocking news that she will have to undergo emergency triple bypass surgery 5 days from now.

My mama has always been the first to offer help to anyone who needs it and the last to ask for it herself. She has suffered from serious chronic illnesses, C-PTSD, arthritic spinal degeneration, physical and emotional trauma, and other disabilities for years. She raised me as a single working mom, spent 35 years pioneering as a woman in the film industry, started a pet-care company, and has spent countless hours helping others (animals and people alike). She has so much more to offer the world.

Ever the trooper and always fiercely independent, my mom hasn't told many people about this because she doesn’t want to worry anyone. But she needs help now. The reality is that open heart surgery will require the surgeon to break her breastbone in order fix her heart; the brutal nature of this surgery will make it impossible for her to lift anything over 3 pounds and undoubtedly keep her from being able to do her job.

As her only child and family member living nearby, I will be her primary caregiver during her recovery. Due to the urgency and sudden nature of this news, neither she nor I have had time to save up or gather resources for the long road ahead.

Your donations here would help cover her medical costs and basic living expenses while she's out of work. We wish the system were different, that people who needed life-saving care (or any care at all) weren’t put in desperate positions requiring them to ask the public for funds to survive. I know for a fact that starting this GoFundMe goes against her nature, but my mom deserves to rest and recover with peace of mind.

It is my hope that some of you might be able to help make this process a little easier for my mom. I know it's hard out there for everyone right now, and we are both so grateful for anything you can spare. We appreciate you taking the time to read and hopefully share this with others, from the bottom of her (soon to be new and improved) heart and mine.

In Gratitude,

Sylvia & Mary (& Mimi & Jolene )