Help Carl Start Over (Surgery and New Beginnings)

I'm creating this GoFundMe on behalf of my dear friend Carl (you can read his letter and his personal story below). Carl (also known on the internet as SaxDragon) and I met through music on Twitch through an event he created called "The Cultural Exchange," bringing creators and artists from all over the world together in a way that I personally hadn't seen done before. We joined forces after the first couple of events and have since then, grown and fostered a beautiful online community of creatives and art and music lovers from all over the world.

Carl is hilarious, sassy, kind, responsible, and someone who I respect highly as a phenomenal musician as well as a person of character. We have not only become business partners working in the trenches on The Cultural Exchange, but we've become like family in our personal lives. He's not just my friend, he's my brother. Seeing how much he's poured out into continuing to pursue his vision and elevating others he believes in despite the incredible amount of both physical and emotional turmoil he's been struggling through the past few years has been both astounding and heartbreaking. He's been my rock at times even though both of us could barely keep ourselves afloat.

If I had the ability to, I would give him whatever he needed to help him get through this extremely difficult chapter in his life, but unfortunately, I am limited in my capacity to help. There are few people I would back like I would back Carl, and I truly hope that we can, as a community, help him find peace in both his health and for his heart and soul as he so truly deserves. Thank you in advance for taking the time to read this, and please, donate and share. Either or will help tremendously. He's given so much for others, if we could just give a small amount back, it would mean the world.

From the bottom of my heart,

Joyce

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From SaxDragon aka Carl...

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Hey everyone,

I wanted to take a moment to share who I am, what’s happening in my life, and why this campaign is so important.

MEDICAL

In 2021, I had colorectal surgery that was not successful. Without a second surgery, I’m at high risk for sepsis and blood cancers. I’ve been on a waiting list for over a year, and with my move this summer, I’ll need support to cover traveler’s insurance, uncovered medical costs, and recovery time. I’ve suffered in silence for years—this surgery is my best chance at relief.

MOVING ACROSS THE ATLANTIC

I have lived in Europe for over a decade, but, after my divorce, I find myself at a crossroads regarding what I do and where I go next. I have accepted a remote position as a partnerships manager representing a UK company this summer in Brazil. This is an incredible opportunity for me to start fresh. However, even with company support, there are many costs I have to cover on my own:

Moving abroad is expensive, and this transition comes with significant financial challenges.

MUSIC - A NEW CHAPTER

I’m eager to reconnect with live performance, street music, and recording—and finally, start my debut album. But to do that, I need essential gear before I leave. Brazil’s high tariffs and import taxes make it costly to buy equipment there, so I’m trying to purchase as much as possible before I move. Some unavoidable expenses include:

Still, many things simply can’t/won’t fit in my limit of 3 suitcases. The bigger equipment I’ll have to buy in Brazil includes…

Creating music takes resources, and I want to be prepared for this next phase of my career.

WHO I AM AND WHY THIS MATTERS

I’m a saxophonist, keytarist, DJ, content creator, and streamer, and I’ve been playing sax for nearly 25 years. Music has shaped my life, and after years of setbacks, I’m ready to step back into my passion.

Streaming changed my world when I launched The Cultural Exchange on Twitch in 2022. This project brought together musicians and creators from across the globe, and even as it shifts to a quarterly event, it remains close to my heart. With this move, I hope to balance marketing, live performance, streaming, and recording—building a sustainable career doing what I love.

HOW CAN YOU HELP

If you can, please donate. If you can’t, share my music & this campaign. Every bit of support gets me closer to this next chapter.

Thank you for reading. The best is yet to come!

Sincerely,

SaxDragon