Our beloved teacher, mentor, and friend, Gayle Ansel is in need of open-heart surgery. She was in Canada visiting her daughter, Clara and her family when she was admitted to the hospital in Vancouver. She was stabilized and then moved to Marin County California for further testing. Clara and her son are traveling with her and the costs are quickly mounting.

UPDATE MONDAY 7/23: Clara  texted yesterday and Gayle was released from ICU last Wednesday and is now with the cardiac unit. She is doing very well and is expecting to be discharged either tomorrow or Wednesday. From there, she'll stay in Mill Valley with one of her sisters to continue her recovery and rehab for approximately two months.  

If possible, please continue to share this campaign and let's continue to work to hit our goal of $20,000. Thank you all for your support, love, and well-wishes.  

UPDATE MONDAY 7/16:  Clara texted last night and Gayle is doing better by the hour. She is able to sit up and even walk a bit! Most of the I.V.'s and lines are out but she's still in pain, which is to be expected. She's leaving the ICU for the cardiac unit today and should be there for about a week before being released.  Clara has been reading your messages to her and it has helped to lighten her spirit. She is so grateful for the incredible love and generosity of all of those who came together here to help her.  Please continue to share this campaign. We're almost half-way to our goal and we'll be running this campaign until we hit the goal, no matter how long it takes. Thanks again and we'll keep you posted on any new developments.    

UPDATE FRIDAY 7/13 11:10am: Clara just texted saying Gayle's awake but in a lot of pain. She seems to be doing well,  though and just needs to rest.

UPDATE THURSDAY 7/12 7:00pm: Clara just texted saying Gayle's surgery is finished and the doctor feels she will do just fine but the next 24 hours are critical. If she does well within that time-frame, he says 99% of the risk will be gone.

So, please keep her in your thoughts and continue to send love and healing energy to her as well as to those who are working to support and care for her during this time.

Again, thank you all for the love and support you continue to give. This means so much to her and her family. 


UPDATE: As you've most likely read, Gayle is going to have surgery this Thursday and fortunately, she'll be able to remain at Marin General Hospital under a new PPO medical plan. This is definitely great news and we're thrilled that she won't have to be moved to San Diego.

But, after speaking with Clara and Gayle's sister, Barbara we've come to realize that the costs for all of this are going to be much greater than the $5000 we had initially hoped to raise. 

As many of you may know, Gayle has been unable to work for quite some time which has certainly created financial stress. Now, with the additional costs for the surgery, the expenses incurred in Canada, travel expenses for her, Clara, and Sam to California, along with all of the other and often unexpected costs that come with a situation like this, there's even more financial concerns. 

It's been so heartening to see the love and generosity everyone has shown and although no one likes to ask for help, I would like to please ask for everyone to help us continue to support Gayle and her family along this difficult journey so she can heal as quickly as possible and without the additional stresses of financial concerns. 

Please forward this to anyone you know who might be able to help and again, thank you for all of the love and support.

Help spread the word!