Rally for Elyse Garling: Building a Community of Support

Dear Friends, Family, and Compassionate Strangers,

Our dear friend, Elyse Garling, has recently received the devastating news that the breast cancer she won a battle with many years ago has returned.

Back in 2010, when Elyse was just 31, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. After 5 years of treatments and therapies, Elyse was miraculously pronounced cancer-free. She was able to return to her life of making beautiful jewelry in Port Townsend and spending the summers fishing in Alaska where she made her living.

Receiving this last blow to her heart and body has been a tough moment for Elyse and her loved ones. However, her resilient spirit is unwavering and ready to take on this next wave of challenges, both mentally and physically. She is determined to achieve optimal health and I am calling on our community to join in any way that you can.

Elyse's generous heart...

To know Elyse, is to know that she has the biggest heart and most courageous spirit. Her connection and reverence for the natural world is reflected in the beauty of her craft, jewelry making, the vast array of delectable treats she creates from foraged nature, and her love of spending many months of the year in Alaska.

If Elyse was in town, it would not be uncommon to come home to treats on our porch such as tundra berry jam, pickles (grandma's recipe) or fresh pressed cider from her family's annual apple press party. She absolutely loves to create from nature and freely shares her unique gifts and treats with so many people.

Elyse’s jewelry is stunning and celebrates her appreciation of the wildness and flow of nature. She draws inspiration from the raw edges and soft balance of all the places she's lived, including growing up as a child on the Olympic Peninsula and the stark contrast of Bristol Bay, Alaska and New York City.

Elyse has a long and hard journey ahead. The cancer and treatments have depleted her physically and financially. She was not able to carry out her normal fishing season which usually can sustain her previously cancer-free life for most of the year. Thankfully, Elyse has medical insurance, but that does not begin to cover her loss of income or the need for healthy food, alternative remedies and supplemental therapies that she requires to win this battle.

Elyse is the most diligent and committed human I have ever personally witnessed engaged in this journey. She spends countless hours researching and discovering new things about her cancer. It is truly a full time job.

With your generosity, we can give Elyse some reprieve and alleviate some of the stress and anxiety so that she can focus on achieving the hight possible outcome.

Ways You Can Help

Donate any amount that you can afford. Any contribution, small or large, will make a huge difference as we build and grow a community to support Elyse.

Share this GoFundMe on your social media channels and/or email your community and word of mouth. You never know who is out there that might connect to Elyse’s story and feel called to help.

Send Elyse messages of love and support here and anywhere you can get ahold of her. Her big, open heart will be so grateful!

Shop on Elyse’s website. You can support and appreciate Elyse by purchasing her previous collections of jewelry at elysegarling.com. It remains unclear when she will have the strength and time to get back to jewelry making so get them while they are available!

Stay in touch!

I will be updating the key moments of her journey here so please stay with us as we support her. Feel free to reach out to me for any questions. I look forward to sharing with you the impact of your generosity.

So much gratitude...

Elyse is incredibly grateful for the outpouring of love and support from her community. Your generosity does so much more than ease the financial strain; it provides her with the strength and hope she needs to continue with positivity.

Let's rally together and show Elyse she is not alone in this. With your support, we can help her focus on her recovery and look forward to a future of health and happiness.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.