If you're reading this, you're not new to the fact that eventually the "pass around the same penny for our health" gremlin comes for all of us here in the land of no healthcare. This week, that gremlin came for our friend BJ Colangelo. She's too proud to ask for help, but I'm a bully.

For those who don't know, BJ is a pancreatic cancer survivor. The radiation she underwent to survive her cancer irreversibly eroded her teeth, making them an ongoing financial time bomb. Despite exemplary and careful oral care over the years, the clock on said bomb has hit 0, and she requires full mouth extractions with top and bottom full arch implants. (A whole new mouth, basically.)

She's being quoted $50K for the whole procedure. (Here are broad estimates across the industry for 2026 , in case your eyes jumped out of your head at the number.)

This is life-altering debt for a freelancer who lives in one of the most expensive cities in the world (that she has to be in for her job). BJ and her wife Harmony have put down the deposit that they could, but it has eviscerated their savings. I figure we can help at least take a little dent out of their financial stress as they deal with a daunting medical procedure that will alter both of their lives for a little bit.

I'll be posting updates as they come through (and might even successfully drag some words out of BJ when she has them). In the meantime, please join me in telling her "f*ck your midwest pride, we love you and you are supported."

We're on the cusp of a recession whose effects have already hit many of us, so please only donate if you can. I've raised a lot of money in a lot of spaces, so please know that spreading the word also does genuinely help in these instances.