Updates on Ellie’s medical needs

For decades, in this beautiful part of Maine, you have had a champion. You may not have realized that it was she who brought that smile to your face as you watched your child or friend glow onstage in one of her many area productions. You may have read her sublime poems or substantive columns in the local papers. When you thought you had fallen through the cracks for holiday relief, or were faced with a disaster, a ‘secret Santa’ and her ‘elves’ may have ensured that you had a proper Christmas or Hanukkah. You may have met her through her work at her beloved Mobius. You may have sought help over the years from one service agency or another for basic needs or safety—she has worked for several, and you found that she ALWAYS went those extra miles for you and your family, leaving no stone unturned. One thing about Ellie: she understands adversity, and if there is anything she can do to assist someone, to let them know she is in their corner, to open doors for them—she will do it with compassion, and without judgment.

In the last couple of years, Ellie Busby herself has continued to do these things and smile at us on the street or from the stage, while contending with a perfect storm of misfortunes involving those three stymying specters—housing costs, the ‘donut’ hole, and health crises. This year Ellie has been dealing with an ongoing serious medical condition that requires extreme treatments, infusions, and medications, and has a side effect of severely compromising dental health. As is her way, she has continued to advocate for others and forge ahead through sheer force of will and the love she bears us (if you do know Ellie, you know both her love AND her will are fierce). But the stress of the illness and its expenses is taking an immense toll. Ellie is in need of champions of her own these days, even to the tune of a dollar or two from kind friends, to meet medical needs that are likely to total $15,000. Ellie is familiar with the resources available to her for these expenses yet is still faced with this formidable sum. I am asking that this community to which she has shown unwavering devotion for so many years to please be as generous as it can comfortably be, and help Ellie alleviate some of these seemingly insurmountable medical expenses. Thank you in advance for your support and appreciation of our dear Ellie Busby.