Our beloved Sparkle Queen, Alex Simon, has been diagnosed with stage 4 cancer, most likely ovarian but we are still in the discovery stage of the diagnosis. It is showing up on scans in multiple places and no matter the origin, she has a long road ahead of her. Her community is rallying around her to show support and donating financially is one hugely important way you can do that!

For those of us who live in Portland, you’ve probably experienced Alex’s magic in person. If you’ve ever come home to a surprise rainbow chalk mural on your sidewalk after a bad day, you’ve felt that Alex Simon Magic. If you’ve ever been gifted a homemade bouquet grown in her secret garden, you’ve felt that Alex Simon Magic. If you’ve ever attended the Make Good Choices Holiclay Party, you’ve felt that Alex Simon Magic. If you’ve ever pranced around Peninsula Park after dark or scampered through the fairy trails of Forest Park on a rainy day with Alex and Frankie, you’ve felt that Alex Simon Magic.

And because of her big loving personality and wonderful works of art, Alex’s magic reaches far beyond Portland! Her friendships and connections span the entire world. If you’ve ever DMed with Alex about anything ceramics related or where to find the perfect sequin caftan or just to chat about the process of bedazzling, you’ve felt that Alex Simon Magic! If you’ve ever watched the Holiclay Music Video on repeat 5x and thought “Literally how does she do it?!” you’ve felt that Alex Simon Magic. If you’ve ever anxiously waited for her to release new work so you can gift your loved ones (or yourself) that perfect Make Good Choices rainbow menorah or hitatchi pipe or a one of a kind heart shaped, unicorn handle, drippy glaze and vintage decal mug, you’ve felt that Alex Simon Magic! If you’ve ever introduced yourself to Alex IRL after following her online for years, only to have her embrace you like a dear old friend, you’ve felt that Alex Simon Magic.

Alex doesn’t just make life magical for herself, she goes out of her way to share her magic with everyone, friends and strangers alike. Making other people happy is her greatest joy.

Now, we can all return the favor.

Alex has been dealing with a variety of symptoms for a few months, mostly distended stomach and having a hard time breathing. She was brushed off by doctors repeatedly and told it was just from the stress of the Holiclays, swallowing too much air when eating, or bloating as a concussion symptom from a recent car accident. Finally on December 23rd she took herself to the ER and received a cancer diagnosis. It was shocking to say the least. She is still in the process of gaining information and trying to wrap her head around her new reality. She is in good medical hands, but it will be a little while until we understand the extent of her cancer, and as such, what her treatment plan will look like. We do know that she currently has many tumors in her abdomen, and it has also spread to her ovaries and liver. For now, we know that she is very sick, she will be undergoing chemotherapy and surgery, and she will be unable to work for the foreseeable future. As a self-employed artist, this is understandably very stressful. Alex is maintaining her typical optimistic and hilarious outlook on life, but she’s also scared about what the future holds.

So many people have already asked how they can help, and the truth is, providing material resources to help Alex focus only on healing is one of the best ways to support her right now. The money raised via this GoFundMe will go toward her mortgage, her cost of living, and her cancer care. We imagine leaving this page open for the duration of Alex’s battle against cancer, and every little bit helps. Please give what you can and share widely, even if you can’t give. She’d also love thoughts of care and well wishes on her Instagram page so she can look at them when she needs. Thank you so much for showing up for Alex the way she has shown up for so many of us over the years. Sincerely: Thank you.