G. Valmont Thomas - Cancer Fight

On July 8, G. Valmont Thomas was dressed and ready to perform at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival.  It was the beginning of a marathon  day. Falstaff in Henry IV, Part 1 and Falstaff again in Henry IV, Part 2, making him the rare actor to perform Falstaff in all 3 Shakespeares, as well as one of very few Black actors to do so.  The "hat trick."  He did it.

Despite cancer, despite pain, despite the toll the disease was taking on him.  He continued to fight and to perform.

But cancer is patient.  And insidious.  And it would not allow him to perform the next night.  Or the night after that.  Or any night since.

And now, G. Val needs our help.

Cancer is expensive. Drugs, medical supplies, doctor visits, insurance premiums, more drugs, the list goes on and on. OSF, and in particular a few special members of the staff, have been incredibly generous with time, transportation, daily visits and more.  

But, G. Val's contract expires at the end of October, and does not renew until next April.  We, his friends and family, will need to pitch in. His “Ashland family” has taken the lion's share of the burden, but they cannot be his sole support. Can you help?

What we need:  Money.

For:  
- Medical co-pays and insurance premiums  
- Rent & Utilities
- Day to day expenses:  food, transportation, etc.  
- Home health care/nurses
- Fighting cancer without a paycheck

G. Val says that Ashland feels like home now. He has amazing community support, as well as a team of doctors familiar with his medical history. He would like to stay in Ashland, but he needs our help.

Please donate today, and pass this on to any friends of G Val who would like to help.

If you are in Ashland, you already know that visits need to be limited and the freezer is full of casseroles. This cash gift is truly the best way to help G. Val at this time.

If you would like to send G. Val a message and/or receive weekly notifications of his progress, sign up for CaringBridge here.  Here 

Thank you to everyone who sends G. Val good energy, prayers, or keeps him in your thoughts. He has given us all so much over the years, and it is a blessing to be able to give something back.

"I can no other answer make but thanks, and thanks, and ever thanks."
   -  William Shakespeare (Twelfth Night, Act 3, Scene 3)

UPDATE: Because we've had such a wonderful reponse in just a few short days (and because medical care is expensive and future costs unknown), we are dreaming bigger, and have increased our goal. Thank you, G. Val supporters!