Help our Sex Worker Community Member

**UPDATE***

An Urgent Update About A:

A has now undergone surgery and at home recovering. A spend 2 nights and 3 days in the hospital. Due to A struggle with pain and mobility after surgery. A had a double mastectomy with removal of all breast tissue, nipples and lymph nodes from the axial. A has 4 drains, 2 from each breast! Tissue expanders with ports placed in. A is struggling being on disability and being able to keep up with all the bills! All of A bills are due for disconnection! Not all A's medication is covered. And same goes for post op supplies. For example: dressings, bandages, gauze etc. For A's double mastectomy incisions and the drains. A continues to struggle with food security! A's diet prevents her accessing food banks. A currently doesn’t have any vitamins! So A is lefted with relying solely on food for minerals and nutrients However struggling with food security A is not getting all the minerals and nutrients A needs. Due to A surgery A needs to go to physiotherapy to exercise her arms to re gain strength to prevent lymphoma! A also needs to go see a RMT to massage her arms too prevent lymphoma! Lymphoma can be a temporary or permanent side affect! So physiotherapy and massage therapy is crucial! However A can not afford the deductible for physio and massage. This puts A at risk! A solely depends on cannabis products to aid in her cancer journey. But struggles to afford to buy cannabis. A rents from a private landlord. The property that A rents has been put on the market and has been sold! A has been served a notice of eviction to move out in 60 days. For the buyers to move in. This situation couldn’t have come at a worser time! A can not afford to pay market rent currently in the lower mainland. So this puts A facing homelessness in 60 days! Applying for BC housing. There is very long waiting lists to get housing. Even with A needs situation and the urgency. A needs assistance in helping packing up her stuff and moving. Being on disability on PWD. The Minstry only aids in so much in these types of situations. A is still in court proceedings! As her ex and eldest child. Are in belief that A makes over 200,000 a year! A's ex and eldest child who now is an adult. Are wanting back pay child support. However A was never ordered by the court to pay child support. This is the reason for court proceedings. A's Oncologist has written several letters to the court. Stating A's medical condition and asking for an adjournment for 1 year! So A could focus on fighting breast cancer! The courts did not let up. A's ex and eldest child knowing A's medical condition did not let up. A's ex attorney knowing her medical condition did not let up! This situation lead A to hire an attorney to represent A in court. While A is fighting breast cancer! A had to make arrangements to make monthly payments. To pay her attorney. Which A can not afford! There is no legal aid in the province where court is taking place. So A is now paying for a lawyer during this crucial time in her life! Everything has happened all at once! Not only is A fighting breast cancer and has a long journey ahead of her! A is still fighting court proceedings while fighting cancer. Court proceedings have been dragging on for a year now! And will continue into the new year! And so will A's cancer journey as well! A is extremely overwhelmed by it all! A is asking for the community’s support. All donations are appreciated.

Dear sex workers and allies of the lower mainland and beyond- One of our members is really struggling and needs the community’s support.

We are assisting in raising funds for a woman we have supported for nearly five years. (we’ll call her A for her privacy.) A is a caring, and open hearted community member who has asked for our help.

A is a long time sex worker who has recently been given a stage 2 breast cancer diagnosis. With breast cancer in both of her breasts and have spread to nearby lymph nodes.

The stress of the diagnosis and rapidly beginning chemo, surgery and radiation treatments have left her exhausted, anxious and unable to work. The stress has lead to a flare ups of her fibromyalgia, compounding issues of mobility and energy.

A has been enduring ongoing harassment from her ex and one of her adult children for years.

A’s ex and her eldest child are now attempting to sue her for income they claim she ‘must have made’ as a sex worker. The years of ongoing abuse she has suffered at their hands have been damaging to both her physical and mental health. She has made multiple reports to the RCMP; law enforcement says "there nothing we can do"

A is short on funds, has been struggling with food security for a very long time and is currently hungry. She has dietary restrictions that prevent her from accessing much of the items available from food banks.

A lives in a market rent apartment by herself, in the lower mainland and feels it is of the utmost importance to maintain her housing during her treatment and recovery. However, without supplemental income, losing this is a risk.

We are hoping to raise 10,000$ to help support A during her treatment, surgery and convalescence.

We ask you all to please help by donating and sharing this call out amongst your circles.