Help Us Save NYC Culture Icon, Allan Buchman

An Altruistic Theater Impresario Urgently Needs Help

Allan Buchman, the mastermind behind some of New York’s most highly-acclaimed theater productions like The Exonerated and Bridge & Tunnel, is in danger of losing his life. He received a harrowing liver transplant last year and has not returned to full health since. He is in grave danger of dying and his friends have come together to raise money on his behalf. To recover, he needs to take time off work, get therapy, and rest. However, Allan cannot afford to. With heavy hearts, we’re worried that he will never get the chance to heal. Apart from his exceptional and moving contributions to the Arts, Allan is simply a good man. He has helped so many in his community; and it is our turn to help him. Allan’s recovery will cost $75,000. This is our opportunity to help him regain his health and save his life.

More about our dear friend

Allan suffered numerous medical emergencies which upended his life – but not his dedication to the arts. His work, like his life, has been a source of continuing love and care that he extends to each person he meets.

Early Career

Allan was a world-renowned piano technician before he founded the Culture Project, the non-profit he swiftly propelled to New York’s premiere space for socially-conscious theater.

He prioritized marginalized voices in defense of human rights, because he understood his position to enact change – his work ranged from stories told by former death row inmates to the difficulties immigrants face in America, to war crimes committed by the US Government abroad.

Health Issues

In 2016, Allan received some of the worst news of his life. He was diagnosed with cirrhosis of the liver caused by Hepatitis C, threatening the need for a liver transplant. For years, his life hung in the balance as he was passed in and out of the operating room.

By the time he agreed to receive the transplant, the doctors told him he would die before he’d qualify. He was losing a dangerous amount of weight, his organ was failing, and he was on the brink of death.

On the evening of May 15th, he received a phone call. He was instructed to be in the hospital by 6am the following morning – doctors were flying by helicopter to Boston to pick up his new liver. The operation would be demanding and long, a risky procedure from which Allan knew he might not ever wake.

Survival

Allan survived the 8 hour operation – but at a cost. He was sent home to rest, medical bills and more surgeries to come. During his tenure in the hospital, he lost not only years of his life, but his home and theater as well – he simply could not afford the insurmountable costs.

After several months of bedrest, Allan’s tenacious energy brought him back to the office, back to the work he loves. However, his return to work meant sacrificing his recovery. Two years later, Allan’s strength continues to deteriorate, but his doctors attest to his strong heart and good blood pressure his new liver has helped him achieve. At this time, his only hope for returning to a normal, productive life is to focus on his health through therapy, exercise, a healthful diet, and a strong spiritual practice.

What Allan’s Friends are Saying

Mother of Allan’s Organ Donor

“It was very hard to lose my daughter; I loved her very, very much… Just knowing that a part of her lives on and allows another to live on also, has brought much peace to myself and other members of Valerie’s family.”

Nusrat Durrani, media strategist and founder of MTV World:

We need to save Allan Buchman because we need to save the essence of New York City. The New York I dreamed of coming to and eventually made my home in is defined by cultural icons like Allan Buchman- fearless, brilliant and kind. In fact, some of my first theatrical experiences in the city were Allan’s Culture Project productions like Bridge and Tunnel, The Exonerated and MoLoRa. Allan’s groundbreaking theatre is provocative, cutting-edge and ambitious but marked by a yearning for positive change. His work, indeed his life, is defined by giving voice to the voiceless, righting what is wrong, and elevating whichever craft he chooses to use as his medium.

We take pride in living in one of the greatest cities in the world in one of the most generous countries. It is lit up not only by outrageous accomplishment, wealth, power and aspiration, but also by the extraordinary generosity and empathy of New Yorkers. We have all been struck by bad luck, misfortune or illness like Allan is today. And we have been lifted by the selflessness and compassion of others. We must help Allan. He needs us, like the hundreds of others he helped when they needed him. $75,000 is a small amount for this great city, this wealthy country. Please give what you can.