Help Elle Quintana cover surgery costs.
Donation protected
My name is Elle. I've spent the past twenty years as a talent buyer in Chicago. Working in the music industry has allowed me to help others on many occasions- whether it was helping a friend get into a show they couldn't afford or raising tens of thousands of dollars by organizing fundraisers and events for people going through life altering experiences, I have always tried to step in when I could. Working in the music industry has also meant a great deal of financial insecurity and limited access to healthcare at times. Until now, I've always managed- often with the generosity of my friends, but am currently facing a challenge beyond anything I've experienced before.
On Easter Sunday I had an accident that resulted in me obliterating my wrist. I'm scheduled for surgery on Wednesday May 1st. I have to get a plate and screws in my wrist. Unfortunately, as is common in the music and service industry, I do not have health insurance and I was denied Medicaid. With financial assistance and a good discount, my final total estimate is still around $19,500. For the surgery to be scheduled, they asked for a $12,000 deposit. Someone was generous enough to help me out of their retirement account to make that down payment.
My goal for this campaign is $15,000 but I am obviously appreciative of anything that comes my way. I am unable to cook, drive, work, or do a multitude of everyday things that are necessary to care for myself and my child.
The most immediate need is coming up with the money to secure the deposit needed to get surgery. Beyond that, I would like to return some of the money to the friend who was able to help me with $10,000. From there, I will use anything else for living expenses during the two months I can't work, uber to get my daughter to and from school on days when I can't find her a ride, food, medication, physical therapy, etc. Reggies Rock Club will thankfully cover my rent during my recovery. The remainder of the surgical costs will be paid off over time with a payment plan. If I go over my goal, I'll put funds toward the astronomical emergency room bill from this event.
Last year was one of the worst of my life. In the process of trying to better myself and get corporate work with healthcare, I ended up losing money and then losing my job. Thanks to some friends and local organizations' generosity I was able to pay rent and utilities and keep my home. Reggies asked me back earlier this year and I opened a new spot with a former employer that has been going well. This has been a good year for me. I paid down nearly all my debt and am current on all my bills. I was able to pay all the expenses that were related to my mother's death last month. I even had the beginning of a savings account! I could finally afford private health insurance. Unfortunately, I can't purchase it until open enrollment. Which leaves me in this situation.
Please know that anything helps. With the number of people I've met over the years, if my entire FB friend list donated just $5, I'd be able to cover everything that I need. I know many of you have helped me in the past and I'm grateful for the support I've received. Times are tough and a lot of my friends are in the same position I'm in. If you aren't able to help, I understand, but hope you can share and get the word out. This is humbling, but my future ability to take care of myself and my daughter depends on it.
OTHER WAYS YOU CAN HELP:
I'm scheduled to move back to Chicago in July but the house needs some plumbing and general carpentry work before then. We desperately need help installing a new kitchen (which we already have the parts for), plumbing for a washer and dryer, some floor work, closet work, baseboards, painting, bathroom tile work and building a deck. So if you're local and want to donate your expertise and your two hands or even materials, that would be amazing as well. We need this work done before my lease is up.
Publicly asking for help like this isn't easy. I know in this music industry most of us are lacking in health care. I really don't have a lot of options though. I'm hoping that my 20 years in the bar and music industry, my insanely large worldwide network of bands, friends and peers, and this slick as heck GoFundMe page will help me raise money towards what is to come.
Thanks for reading this novella and thank you for all the love and support.
On Easter Sunday I had an accident that resulted in me obliterating my wrist. I'm scheduled for surgery on Wednesday May 1st. I have to get a plate and screws in my wrist. Unfortunately, as is common in the music and service industry, I do not have health insurance and I was denied Medicaid. With financial assistance and a good discount, my final total estimate is still around $19,500. For the surgery to be scheduled, they asked for a $12,000 deposit. Someone was generous enough to help me out of their retirement account to make that down payment.
My goal for this campaign is $15,000 but I am obviously appreciative of anything that comes my way. I am unable to cook, drive, work, or do a multitude of everyday things that are necessary to care for myself and my child.
The most immediate need is coming up with the money to secure the deposit needed to get surgery. Beyond that, I would like to return some of the money to the friend who was able to help me with $10,000. From there, I will use anything else for living expenses during the two months I can't work, uber to get my daughter to and from school on days when I can't find her a ride, food, medication, physical therapy, etc. Reggies Rock Club will thankfully cover my rent during my recovery. The remainder of the surgical costs will be paid off over time with a payment plan. If I go over my goal, I'll put funds toward the astronomical emergency room bill from this event.
Last year was one of the worst of my life. In the process of trying to better myself and get corporate work with healthcare, I ended up losing money and then losing my job. Thanks to some friends and local organizations' generosity I was able to pay rent and utilities and keep my home. Reggies asked me back earlier this year and I opened a new spot with a former employer that has been going well. This has been a good year for me. I paid down nearly all my debt and am current on all my bills. I was able to pay all the expenses that were related to my mother's death last month. I even had the beginning of a savings account! I could finally afford private health insurance. Unfortunately, I can't purchase it until open enrollment. Which leaves me in this situation.
Please know that anything helps. With the number of people I've met over the years, if my entire FB friend list donated just $5, I'd be able to cover everything that I need. I know many of you have helped me in the past and I'm grateful for the support I've received. Times are tough and a lot of my friends are in the same position I'm in. If you aren't able to help, I understand, but hope you can share and get the word out. This is humbling, but my future ability to take care of myself and my daughter depends on it.
OTHER WAYS YOU CAN HELP:
I'm scheduled to move back to Chicago in July but the house needs some plumbing and general carpentry work before then. We desperately need help installing a new kitchen (which we already have the parts for), plumbing for a washer and dryer, some floor work, closet work, baseboards, painting, bathroom tile work and building a deck. So if you're local and want to donate your expertise and your two hands or even materials, that would be amazing as well. We need this work done before my lease is up.
Publicly asking for help like this isn't easy. I know in this music industry most of us are lacking in health care. I really don't have a lot of options though. I'm hoping that my 20 years in the bar and music industry, my insanely large worldwide network of bands, friends and peers, and this slick as heck GoFundMe page will help me raise money towards what is to come.
Thanks for reading this novella and thank you for all the love and support.
Organizer
Elle Quintana
Organizer
Wilmette, IL
