Annalise’s Road to Remission

Over the past year and a half, Annalise has been battling a debilitating autoimmune disease while trying to find a treatment plan for reaching clinical remission.

Funds raised by this campaign will help ease the immediate cost of lengthy hospitalization, of specialists and health expenses like procedures, treatments, labs and prescriptions not covered by insurance, and of physical therapy to regain strength and mobility. Funds will help ease the burden of a solid year and a half of co-pays, facility fees, anesthesia fees, infusion expenses, medicated food regimens, and the cost of dozens of prescription medications throughout her 5 treatment plans. This campaign will also help with the burden of lost income and the strain of housing and living expenses, and studio rent of her business, while undergoing continued long term medical treatment.

Annalise’s passion is printmaking. Anyone in Texas who knows printmaking knows Annalise. In the summer of 2020, she signed a lease on a studio space with the goal of building her business and the print shop of her dreams. She acquired an antique printing press through a patron and moved it into the studio. Then she was hit like a freight train with this illness, going from biking to her new studio every day after her job at the museum, to being bedridden and losing her ability to live on her own.

Annalise has seen four specialists and has worked with teams of doctors to find a diagnosis and a treatment plan to reach remission. Four treatment plans have failed; her health and mobility have continued to decline, while medical and living expenses have skyrocketed. She is currently in her 5th treatment plan of new biologic IV infusions. It may take months to see results from this medication but Annalise continues to heroically battle the effects of the disease as well as the illness caused by the side effects of the medications.

The pandemic is causing major delays for those needing critical medical attention. Annalise has experienced this in many ways: not being able to get doctor’s appointments, long wait times for procedures, short staffed offices and hospitals. Three weeks ago an ER in Austin sent her home refusing her treatment, which almost put her in ICU when she was admitted the next day for an extended stay at a hospital out of town.

Annalise’s financial burden is massive. She is largely unable to work and has run out of paid leave. Between medical expenses not covered by insurance, studio rental and lost wages, her total to date is $37,401, and the costs continue to mount every day.

Annalise is a vital member of the print and art community, sitting on boards of non-profits, teaching and speaking to community members and students in universities across the country, running fundraisers and raising money through her work for social causes and mutual aid, curating exhibitions and bringing people together in the name of Print. She is young, bright, creative and should have her whole life ahead of her to pursue her dreams. The strength, bravery and grace she’s shown in the face of this enormous hardship are an inspiration. Let’s help her get through this difficult time so she can look forward to the future knowing her friends and community support her in her road to remission.

You can also support Annalise by purchasing her beautiful prints. To see her work, please visit www.annalisegratovich.com.

Here’s what friends and fellow artists have to say about Annalise:

Annalise is a gentle and caring person, a fierce and driven artist whose artwork captures nuanced details of her heritage, which captivate due to its universal presentation. She is a dear friend to all of those who meet her. – Miguel A. Aragon

Annalise is an extraordinary artist/printmaker and an outstanding human who could use some help right now due to some unforeseen health issues. Please donate whatever you can. – Tom Druecker

Annalise is bright, wonderful, dedicated yet so much more; focused artist, great collaborator and inspiring person. – Margaret Simpson

The thought of Annalise softens our hearts and fills us with joy; she is a beloved friend. Her enormous talent, determination, curiosity and playfulness naturally extend into her work as an artist. She is a vital link between many creative communities, generously organizing and supporting opportunities to bring people together. – Cassie Normandy White and Ryan O’Malley