Holly Blain has Breast Cancer
My name is Pesh. Like most of Holly's friends, I know her but probably don't know you. If you're reading
this, you already know what an awesome person Holly is. While the
doctors & radiologists are working hard to kill the cancerous cells, and
Holly is fighting to stay positive - and alive - the medical bills are piling
up.
- Good news: she has insurance
- Bad news: her deductible is $7,800
Anyone who's ever had this experience themselves or have helped family/friends through it knows that you
can't work very much during treatment. It's hard enough to keep up with your
regular rent & bills, let alone $7,800 in medical bills. Holly is a hard
worker (I've known her to have upwards of five jobs at once) and volunteers much
of her time to boot. She does everything with the most upbeat, sincere, congenial attitude I've ever known. All of these qualities will help her fight the cancer, but they won't pay the bills by themselves.
*******UPDATE 3 *******
Recently (Monday) Holly found out that she has a separate deductible for medications and that is $3,000. (Yeek!) -- so this is part of the reason behind the push recently.
Also, according to DocOnc it looks like a blood transfusion will be in order before surgery on June 2nd (pushed back this week after meeting the plastic surgeon and coordinating the two surgeon's schedules) and she has to double-up on some medications now to try and boost her blood-count numbers in acceptable ranges for these last 3 rounds of Chemotherapy as well as to prepare for major surgery with her double boobs-be-gone.
*******UPDATE 2 ********
April 25 - told/shown via tests that mass that was 2.3 cm is now 1.4 cm!
Still having double mastectomy on May 28th, but won't move up surgery date. Getting double-dose next Friday and two more smaller doses (one med instead of two) and a week off before surgery. Have meeting with plastic surgeon on Wednesday to discuss rebuilding stuff. Still doing radiation after healing from Boobs-Be-Gone surgery to be completely sure doing all we can to rid me of this stuff.
Feeling like relative end is getting closer. Read the UPDATES section for more deets and photos.
*******UPDATE********
On April 4 (today) Holly was told she is going to have to have at least one breast (and possibly/probably both) removed after all. Any monies raised over the goal amount will go towards little things like Rent, Bills and Food while she is recovering from surgery as the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) allows for time off from a job and still be insured, but no pay for it.
Her doctor wants her to have 6 weeks of radiation therapy 5 days a week (!) and then to do the reconstructive surgery.
Most of this time will be out of work though hopefully she can go to work after the first surgery/recovery for the 6 weeks of radiation, and then be out again for the second time under the knife.
Right now, the first surgery is scheduled on May 28th. This campaign ends May 2nd.
Her deductible is
$7,800, but indiegogo will (quite fairly) take a fee of 4% - 9% of whatever we raise
here. So we're shooting for $8,000+.
If 400 people contribute $20, our goal is
met. Since about 500 of you know her directly or through social
circles, we have a good shot at reaching it.
Perks:
- Karma points can't be quantified, but hell,
we're gonna try anyway. $10 & $20 donations get you 1000 karma points & 1,000,000,000,000,000,000 karma points, respectively. Yeah, karma's not good at math.
- Art, Coffee, Music & Comic books along with CD's and t-shirts and drawings from two different kids can be yours.
- Right now, since I'm just getting this started, and I'm a freelance graphic
designer, I'm offering free illustrations & logos at the $100 &
$500 levels, respectively.
- I'll also mail you my kid's doodles for $40. He's six. You'll love them. Shut up.
- Anyone else out there with something to give away at these and other
levels (especially smaller ones)? If so, please contact me:
pesh@windsaildesign.com or Holly directly at boobsforholly@gmail.com. More are being added as of launch!
Why This Matters To You
Because, one day, this
might be you facing an uphill battle to remission and a pile of bills you'll struggle to pay. Beyond that, Holly isn't a
fair weather friend to anyone. Whatever your mission, Holly is on the front
lines with you. If you ask her to do something, it'll get done. If you need a
kidney, she's the kinda gal to give it to you and ask you not to tell anyone
because taking credit is just not part of her repertoire.
More importantly,
she's probably raised money or awareness for something or someone you care
about very much - maybe even you - and she'll do it again. And again. And
again. I know for a fact that she's still trying to support other people's
goals & initiatives and giving some of her own money away to do so. While she's in treatment!
Other Ways You Can Help
Some of you might not
be able to donate money right now, but that doesn't mean you can't contribute!
- Get the word out: make some noise on Facebook, Twitter,
blogs, or anywhere else you have friends & followers. Want to put up
some posters around town or where you work? East Atlanta Copy Center (our local
awesome printer) is giving us an incredible deal on small batches of
posters. Grab some from me, or let me know how many you want, and I'll
order them for you to pick up directly from the printer!
- Help us come up with more perks; if you own or operate
a business that can donate giveaways (tickets to a show, free coffee,
etc.) for certain amounts donated here, email me at
pesh@windsaildesign.com or Holly directly at boobsforholly@gmail.com
