My name is Deonna Baney and I am a Veteran, Oncology Nurse, and Children's Book Author. I am raising funds for my wonderful Illustrator who was just diagnosed with Breast Cancer. She needs surgery but needs help with the medical costs.

Cleofe is more than just my Illustrator, she is my friend. She has a daughter that is now in 8th grade and Cleofe is the breadwinner for her family. However, she is a freelance Illustrator and currently she is unable to do her job because the cancer is in her right breast and lymph nodes under her right arm. She is right-handed and the pain has been too bad for her to do her life's work.

I have worked with this wonderful and talented woman for a little over two years now and I think so highly of her.

This woman has brought so many wonderful stories to life and right now she could use some help. I have never met her in person because she lives so far away, but she is such a bright and talented light in this world. She is a mother and as a freelance Illustrator, her income relies on her illustrations and commissions that she is unable to do right now. I asked her permission to share this and to start her a GoFundMe because she needs about $8,500 for her surgery and where she lives, my understanding is that they have to pay first. I will be signing up for every event that I can to donate 100% of my sales to her surgery fund. But I was hoping to raise funds for her here as well.

Cancer is very near and dear to my heart not only from seeing family and friends fight it, but also by being an oncology nurse. I use my small platform and my books as a way to give back to cancer charities and patients, so it's only fitting that the books this wonderful woman helped create are the very thing that can help save her life!

So if you can, please donate so that Cleofe can have the surgery that she desperately needs to be able to be here with her daughter Cloe and to be able to get back to doing what she loves to do, bring stories to life!

With love,

Deonna Baney, Children's Book Author