From the moment Colleen stepped through the garden gate, I knew she was a special person. Together, we grew an outdoor classroom at our public school that enabled over 200 children every week to experience hands-on learning and a deep connection to nature. Colleen's commitment, for nearly a decade, has given hundreds of students life-lasting experiences with both art and the natural world.

Beyond her work with children, Colleen has given graciously of her time to preserve our island's history, notably as a founding (and current, now on year 7 ) board member of the Friends of The Olga Store Building. Her love of plants and people extends to ensuring art remains accessible and appreciated in our community. Everything Colleen touches shimmers with a lasting glow of love.

Please join me in giving back to support Colleen now, as she has given so much to all of us.

-Mandy

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Asking for help like this is not easy for me (terrifying actually.) I am most comfortable and alive tending behind-the-scenes in the garden, community and art worlds. Farm to Classroom, Art for Orcas Kids, The Olga Store, iolair, Orcas Food Co-op, Waldron mailboat … these veins of work and service have fed/feed my heart and soul. For the past three years, my capacity for these kind of things— life and work — have been gradually and quietly diminished by endometriosis. (See photo for statistics about how common this disease is and how debilitating its symptoms).

I’ve tried many things holistic, dietary and conventional to manage these waves, and push through pain, but over time these symptoms have become worse and more threatening to my dreams, livelihood, and sanity. For two weeks of each month I am largely incapacitated. This has impacted my ability to work, though I’m very grateful for the flexibility and grace given currently by all 6 employers.

After much deliberation, I’ve decided to pursue minimally invasive endometriosis excision surgery. When done by a specialist, this procedure has proven life-changing/life-reclaiming, and permanently relieving, for so many women.

It has been a long road already, and has taken two years to get this surgery scheduled for this April 2026.

The first step was learning about the importance of accessing an excision specialist, and finding one that I trust deeply here in the Pacific Northwest.

The second step was spending over a year navigating the insurance realm…only to surrender to the fact that my surgery will not be covered at all. There is not a single insurance plan available on the marketplace for self-employed folks that would support any facet of this procedure. This is the reality many patients face. Excision surgery is often considered out-of-network despite being billed as medically necessary. I hope to see a day where this life-changing surgery is widely accessible. https://endoexcisionforall.org/

The comprehensive cost for this surgery is ~$27,000. I have saved $8,000 myself for the expected surgical fee, (until recently, I was hoping that insurance would at least cover hospital fees). I switched to cash-pay and an outpatient surgical center (as opposed to hospital) to reduce costs as much as possible. I’m staying with family for the week of the procedure. The costs are still proving daunting, paired with recovery time taken off work.

$ 8,600 surgical fee

$ 12,541 surgical center fee and anesthesia

$ 1,000 pathology

$ 1,000 1 week travel

$ 900 physical therapy

$ 3,000 income loss as self-employed

Thank you so much for taking the time to read my story and for any support you are able to give. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers too. I hope to pay it all forward tenfold once I’m recovered!

Gratefully,

Colleen