Hi, my name is Janell, and I’m reaching out with a hopeful heart and a leap of faith.

I’ve spent much of my adult life in healthcare and healing — as both a licensed massage therapist and now a full-time certified medical assistant with Lehigh Valley Health Network. But before COVID-19 changed everything, I was doing work I truly loved: helping people one-on-one through massage therapy.

When the pandemic hit, massage therapists were considered non-essential, and I had to stop practicing. During that time, I also went through a difficult personal chapter that included physical injury and emotional recovery. My massage therapy license expired while I was still healing from hand surgery — and I’ve been trying to get back ever since.

To renew my license, I need to:

☆ Complete 24 continuing education hours

☆ Pay ~$200 in renewal fees

The total cost is more than I can afford right now. I live paycheck to paycheck and support myself entirely. I’ve always taken pride in making things work, but I’ve realized it’s okay to ask for help when you truly need it.

Massage therapy has never just been a job for me. It’s the place I felt most like myself — able to help people in ways that medicine alone sometimes can’t. People trusted me. And I’d love nothing more than to return to that path, combining the best of what I’ve learned in both traditional and holistic care.

If you feel moved to support me, whether with a small donation or by sharing this campaign, I would be deeply grateful.

Thank you for reading my story and for believing in second chances.

— Janell