- S
- E
You all know Billie Murphy.
Some know her from Lights Up… connecting with and inspiring a generation of children to sing, dance and be joyful.
Others know Billie through sharing the stage with her or by trying to keep up with her in long-distance running events. All of us have been lucky enough to share moments of life with her. Anybody reading this knows that Billie brings light, joy and laughter to the world.
And it’s time that those of us who love her send some love and support her way.
Five years ago, Billie was participating in the Vancouver marathon when a sudden pain in her hip forced her to withdraw.
While injuries are to be expected in athletes, she had no notion that this initial discomfort was the beginning of five years of chronic pain, three failed surgeries and an uncertain future.
Following a surgical consultation, Billie was faced with a yearlong wait for hip surgery. As a dance teacher, Billie was unable to teach and left without her main source of income. She calculated what she would lose in income over the year and decided to pay to have the surgery done privately, as the cost, $15,000+ was less than what she would be able to make during the year, fully expecting this to be the end of her pain and a return to work.
Unfortunately, the surgery was not fully successful and over the past five years Billie has endured extensive hip pathologies leading to destroyed cartilage in her right hip, bone spurs, instability and ultimately osteoarthritis.
She has quietly struggled and suffered, undergoing three successive gruelling and ultimately failed hip surgeries. After extensive MRIs, CT scans and diagnostics, it has been confirmed that the only solution to her chronic pain and decreased mobility is a hip replacement. Barring that, the prognosis is a lifetime of chronic pain, and giving up on dancing, running, cycling, teaching and frankly most of the activities which bring her joy at the age of 31.
As much as we appreciate and safeguard our medical system, for a few people it does not meet the needs in a timely fashion. It has failed our Billie. As a young, otherwise healthy person, the prospect of getting to the front of the line for a hip replacement is very dim for a very, very long time.
So… why are we reaching out to you? Simply put…we love Billie.
Those of us closest to her are tired of seeing her suffer in silence when relief is at hand. We feel that she deserves a life free of chronic pain, with full range of motion returned to her body. An opportunity has been created to have a hip replacement done by a leading hip surgeon in France whose expertise is young dancers and athletes. A custom hip prosthetic is being made and will be done using the anterior approach, a less invasive surgical method. A surgery date in early December has been confirmed, and time is of the essence, as expenses are already mounting.
Funds raised through this outreach will go directly to cover the costs of surgery, travel and accommodation, as well as rehabilitation. The surgery alone will be $42,000. For those who appreciate a break down of funds donated, a full account of the use of funds can be provided at any time.
In the new year, when Billie is recovered somewhat, we will be holding a final fundraiser and celebration event replete with music, dance and performances. Your donation will ensure you an invitation to that!
Please take a moment to donate to Billie’s surgery… and share this link on your Facebook, Instagram and other social media.
For those of us putting this together, we want to express our deepest gratitude and appreciation for your generosity, and for helping us give back to someone we care about deeply.
Some know her from Lights Up… connecting with and inspiring a generation of children to sing, dance and be joyful.
Others know Billie through sharing the stage with her or by trying to keep up with her in long-distance running events. All of us have been lucky enough to share moments of life with her. Anybody reading this knows that Billie brings light, joy and laughter to the world.
And it’s time that those of us who love her send some love and support her way.
Five years ago, Billie was participating in the Vancouver marathon when a sudden pain in her hip forced her to withdraw.
While injuries are to be expected in athletes, she had no notion that this initial discomfort was the beginning of five years of chronic pain, three failed surgeries and an uncertain future.
Following a surgical consultation, Billie was faced with a yearlong wait for hip surgery. As a dance teacher, Billie was unable to teach and left without her main source of income. She calculated what she would lose in income over the year and decided to pay to have the surgery done privately, as the cost, $15,000+ was less than what she would be able to make during the year, fully expecting this to be the end of her pain and a return to work.
Unfortunately, the surgery was not fully successful and over the past five years Billie has endured extensive hip pathologies leading to destroyed cartilage in her right hip, bone spurs, instability and ultimately osteoarthritis.
She has quietly struggled and suffered, undergoing three successive gruelling and ultimately failed hip surgeries. After extensive MRIs, CT scans and diagnostics, it has been confirmed that the only solution to her chronic pain and decreased mobility is a hip replacement. Barring that, the prognosis is a lifetime of chronic pain, and giving up on dancing, running, cycling, teaching and frankly most of the activities which bring her joy at the age of 31.
As much as we appreciate and safeguard our medical system, for a few people it does not meet the needs in a timely fashion. It has failed our Billie. As a young, otherwise healthy person, the prospect of getting to the front of the line for a hip replacement is very dim for a very, very long time.
So… why are we reaching out to you? Simply put…we love Billie.
Those of us closest to her are tired of seeing her suffer in silence when relief is at hand. We feel that she deserves a life free of chronic pain, with full range of motion returned to her body. An opportunity has been created to have a hip replacement done by a leading hip surgeon in France whose expertise is young dancers and athletes. A custom hip prosthetic is being made and will be done using the anterior approach, a less invasive surgical method. A surgery date in early December has been confirmed, and time is of the essence, as expenses are already mounting.
Funds raised through this outreach will go directly to cover the costs of surgery, travel and accommodation, as well as rehabilitation. The surgery alone will be $42,000. For those who appreciate a break down of funds donated, a full account of the use of funds can be provided at any time.
In the new year, when Billie is recovered somewhat, we will be holding a final fundraiser and celebration event replete with music, dance and performances. Your donation will ensure you an invitation to that!
Please take a moment to donate to Billie’s surgery… and share this link on your Facebook, Instagram and other social media.
For those of us putting this together, we want to express our deepest gratitude and appreciation for your generosity, and for helping us give back to someone we care about deeply.