Hi, I'm Sunny BenBelkacem. I have been diagnosed with uterine and ovarian cancer. It's been a long journey to get here and one I did not expect this kind of outcome for. I will be having exploratory surgery on September 17th and will need 6-8 weeks to recover. Depending on post surgery results of the ovaries, uterus, and lymph nodes, I may have to have chemotherapy and radiation to clear it out entirely. During that time, I will not be able to work.

I am a graphic facilitator. I draw pictures of conversations for a living. I am also an artist who creates Amazigh visual spells (digitally and by hand) using Amazigh symbols as the basis of the illustration. I am a small business owner and freelancer. You can learn more about me here: https://www.thatgirlshines.com/

I will not be able to work for a good two months before I am cleared to return to work. I need to ensure my insurance payments are covered so I can continue treatment. I will need to be able to pay all the living bills and all the things that come with living life.

I do my best to serve others through community building, donating, mutual aid, and volunteering. I try to be an Auntie and be there for my community by listening, sharing what I've learned in this life, and helping when others need it. I believe that we are on earth to do one thing, reduce suffering. What is most important to me is community, kindness, compassion, empathy and care.

In my small business, I work with many non-profits focused on women's health, maternal and child health, domestic violence, substance abuse, mutual aid, homelessness, addiction, mental health, education, financial literacy, and nutrition. I volunteer my time on a rape crisis hotline, work that I love because it helps people when they need help the most. I plan on spending a lot of my recovery working on the rape crisis hotline, as it is a small, easy thing I can do while my body recovers.

Now, I am asking my community for help to carry me while I am sick. It doesn't feel great to be here and having to ask but if I believe my own values, community will be here for me.

Thank you for being here. Thank you for donating. Thank you for sharing the fundraiser. Thank you for being you. May you be blessed with community, kindness, compassion, empathy and care.

Oh! And please, send me your address. I am an artist and have stickers, postcards and hand drawn pieces of art laying around that need homes. If you'd like a surprise piece of art, send me your snail mail!