Hello, if you don’t know me, my name is Heather. I am a freelance Stage Manager living in Anaheim, CA, with my dog Belle. After graduating from UC Irvine in the Spring of 2022, I was fortunate enough to work with the Kingsman Shakespeare Co. and finished a gig with the North Coast Repertory Theatre on October 2nd, 2022. Unfortunately, I could not secure another gig before the end of my last one. Living a paycheck-to-paycheck life gives no room for emergencies, and these last few weeks without work have already created a massive setback for me.

While I have been furiously applying for jobs, I am also managing a cancer diagnosis.

In May 2021, I tripped over a rock (I know, so graceful), scraped my foot, and it just wouldn’t heal. After a year and a half (and multiple doctor visits), I was finally diagnosed with Malignant Melanoma on August 19th, 2022. The diagnosis came just in time for my UCI health insurance to expire, so after finally securing new health insurance (and a new monthly bill), I essentially had to start the referral process all over again. In the meantime, the growth on my foot had begun to grow rapidly, making walking more and more difficult every day, and….I found a tumor on the top of my thigh (groin).

I had a PET scan that showed the Melanoma most likely spread to the lymph nodes in my groin area and had a needle biopsy to confirm. I had to have my toe amputated and some groin lymph nodes removed. Then I started infusion treatments January 1st, 2023.

It's been a difficult time, I’m overwhelmed, fighting depression every day, and I need some help catching up financially.

So, I am asking for help.

If you are able and willing, any amount would be hugely appreciated.

Thank you so so much for your understanding and support.