Hey all!! We have another Purgolder in need. Let’s rally behind another member of Mber of our purple and gold family and show them we are here to support.

This is one of the most challenging periods of my life... Over the past 3 years, I've faced a series of overwhelming personal hardships that have left me fighting to stay afloat.

As a small business owner running an event service, COVID damn near devastated my livelihood. What was once a thriving business hosting over 100 events annually plummeted to just 9 events over three (3) years. While fighting to keep my business alive, my daughter and I endured a traumatic home invasion in 2020 that left us shooketh.

During this same period, I became the primary caregiver and support system for my Mother —a dedicated early childhood educator with over 40 years of service—received a devastating diagnosis of Vascular Dementia with Failure to Thrive. While I cared for Mom at home for 2 years, the daily uncertainties and mental stress became too much; I missed out on booking many assignments with my staff as she couldn't be left alone while I worked.

As of February, my mother now resides in a small Memory Care Assisted Living facility that provides 24/7 care. Despite this support, I visit weekly to help organize her belongings, as her sundowning symptoms cause her to repeatedly pack up her room, believing she needs to "go home." Her memory loss is painful to watch and causes my distress. For example, they'll eat dinner at 5 and by 5:45, she can't remember what she ate and while I've written down frequent contacts in a large print address book (trying to find names in her cell phone is sometimes too much for her) she sometimes calls me 7 to 10 times a day.

While a small stipend helps with costs, quality Memory Care often exceeds $7,500 monthly. Before finding her current placement, I moved her into my place and shouldered the load— (she lived in her apartment off Willy Street for over 25 years) and (still) manage her medical and financial affairs as her POA. Even after receiving initial help from Moms friends, coworkers, her past parents, and designating 95% of her SS check to her new home, my savings, retirement, and stock reserves are depleted. And even after all this, damn near all her life insurance will go to the state to bridge the gap in funds from her care. The woman is on this side of the grass but I mourn her daily. They don't call it the long goodbye for nothin'...

While I was preparing for my November 2024 cruise, I received my own devastating news that September: breast cancer. Like gimme a fkin break son! I was diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ in one breast and invasive lobular carcinoma in the other. After surgery, (I decided on a double mastectomy) and seven (7) months of chemo with mad-devastating side effects including chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy, hives, and my nail beds turning jet black, lifting and falling off just to name a few, I'm only now returning to work part time, financially exhausted and emotionally drained while waiting to start radiation treatment in 3 weeks.

I've reached a point of losing it--

- Basic living expenses during my recovery

- Support for my mother's caregiving needs

- Essential business expenses as I rebuild

Every contribution, regardless of size, makes a meaningful difference in my journey toward stability and healing. Your support isn't just financial—it's a reminder that compassion and community can carry some through our darkest moments.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story, for considering a donation, and for sharing this campaign with others who might help. This took a lot. I don't ask for help (disappointment a.k.a., I'll do it my damn self + snarky people can't WAIT to share who needs help.)

Your humaneness during this mad difficult chapter means more than words can express.

With heartfelt gratitude, this Purgolder thanks you for your time.

~ J. ChinaMoon C.

*This campaign was created with love by Cherie, a dear friend of over 30 years who wanted to help during this challenging time.*