Help Kim Stewart Through Her Cancer Journey

It is hard to know where to start. How do I convey, with just words, the love and need and desperation and dedication and overwhelmed sensations I am feeling in this moment? How do I tell you about Kim, her capacity, her care, her mind, her hugs, her love? How do I tell you about how much her life has changed mine? Where do I even begin?

I'll start with the basics—which, in this moment, feel enormous and hard, and "basic" seems like such an incorrect term. My best friend, the love of my life, Kim Stewart, has been diagnosed with Stage 3 Breast Cancer. It feels beyond bizarre to write those words—the unrealness of it can't be comprehended. The technicality of something so grievous feels wrong. But that's what is going on. And she is facing upcoming surgeries, followed by a currently unknown treatment plan.

Let me, for a moment, tell you about Kimberly. Kim, Kimminy Cricket, Kimmy, K Stew, My Wife, has held my entire heart in her hands since I met her at 18. I sat across from her in Photography class and my world changed. I fell madly in love. And she, in that moment, and in all the moments since, has held me through every ridiculous spin in life. She has also done this for every other incredibly lucky person who has come into her life—held them, strengthened them, supported them. She has worked hard beyond words; she is dedicated to her community, to education (both her own and others), to her work, to her friends and her family, to her bunnies. She gives of herself endlessly; she works on herself endlessly. I cannot comprehend how I got so lucky as to have this person pick me for a friend, but her love and friendship are a part of my life that I am grateful for every single day.

Here's where we all come in. We can make this challenging process as easy as possible. We can hold her up, ease the burden on her shoulders, in the same way she has for so many over the years. We can help ease her worries over medical bills, missing work, and help cover all of the emotional and physical labor costs that being sick can accrue. We can give her time and space to rest.

So please, please, please—share this everywhere and anywhere. Help me get this word out there. Help me help the best person I know. I have never met anyone like this radiant person, and she deserves the best we can offer. Donate what you can. It is a stupid world where you get sick and you have to worry about being sick and bills at the same time—so let's help take what we can off of Kim's shoulders.