Help Cheryl Heal and Rebuild: A Journey Back to Health

Dear Friends, Family, and Kind Supporters,

My name is Cheryl, and many of you know me from my work in the TV and film industry. Since 2010, I have poured my heart and soul into various roles across film, music, and production. However, since the pandemic hit in 2020, my journey has taken some challenging turns, and I find myself reaching out for help.

After a brief return to the industry in 2021, I faced multiple battles with COVID-19, contracting the virus four times while working on film sets. Each experience was unique, but all left me with lingering post-COVID symptoms, including debilitating nerve pain in my right leg and foot that have severely limited my ability to work in my beloved industry and on my feet. As well as severe scarring on my lungs inducing breathing problems. On top of that, I struggle with persistent skin issues that require costly medications to manage.

In 2023, the film industry faced another shutdown due to strikes (writers/SAG-AFTRA), leaving myself and many of my colleagues jobless and without support for over a year till recently. I drained my savings trying to keep up with bills, and while I took on small jobs in restaurants and elsewhere, it simply wasn’t enough to cover my expenses. The industry has yet to fully recover, and I’ve only managed to work a single film job for two weeks in the spring of 2024. Even working in low-impact environments became too taxing on my body, as standing for extended periods exacerbated my condition.

To make matters worse, I lost my health insurance in December of 2024—something I had relied on since 2016—because I did not meet the necessary hours due to the lack of work available in the industry. My medical bills continue to pile up, and I find myself falling deeper into arrears. I also have now encountered very concerning and debilitating medical issues currently.  

I’ve already undergone two minor foot surgeries that didn’t resolve my issues due to my post-COVID symptoms and nerve problems, leaving me with substantial bills that my insurance didn’t cover.

I currently have new insurance but I’m told it will not cover my new surgeries in its entirety. Out-of-pocket costs could be about $36,000.

I now face the need of serious vascular surgery for my right leg and a more invasive surgery on my foot, both of which will require a lengthy recovery period—3 to 6 months off my feet—further hindering my ability to work. Additionally, I have endocrinological issues affecting my thyroid, and will need surgery on my pituitary gland tumor by the end of the year. The doctors are not sure what will be first. These medical challenges affect my daily functioning, making it difficult to get through even the simplest tasks some days. Recently I have been hospitalized and in and out of the hospital weekly.  I will continue to be in and out of hospital weekly if I do not have these surgeries. My symptoms are getting worse before better.  I recently accrued several blood clots throughout my body, and several in my lungs. 

which is now limiting my chances to have these surgeries sooner than later.  Doctors are trying to get to the bottom of of getting me on track and with a plan. But my body is not cooperating and it’s one bad thing after another.

I am seeking assistance to raise $60, 000 to help:

1. Cover my medical expenses and financial arrears.

2. Purchase a new laptop to replace my outdated 2012 model, which is too slow for even basic tasks like updating my resumes and seeking possible remote work opportunities as I may need to start. As work as I have done in the past will likely be not an option. 

3. Support myself during my recovery period, allowing me to focus on healing without the added stress of financial burden. Since I currently have been very limited to even basic tasks. 

Any contribution, no matter how small, would be deeply appreciated and will go a long way in helping me regain my footing during this difficult time. I am determined to find remote work/work that accommodates my physical limitations, and something that will work with all my doctors appointments Hospital visited and all of the time off I need for my surgeries. But 

I need the right tools and support to make that happen.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story. Your kindness and generosity mean the world to me, and I am truly grateful for any help you can offer. Together, I believe we can navigate this difficult journey toward healing and stability.

With heartfelt thanks,

Cheryl ❤️