Hello friends, family and compassionate souls,

I hope this message finds you well. I am reaching out on behalf of my dear friend, Kristin, who is currently facing an incredibly challenging and overwhelming chapter in her life. Kristin has always been the first to lend a helping hand, and now she finds herself in need of the support she has so generously given others throughout her life.

Kristin's journey has taken a series of heart-wrenching turns, leaving her in a situation that none of us could have anticipated.

In addition to living with cancer for the past 2+ years, Kristin suffered a heart attack and shortly afterward lost her full-time job, which provided medical benefits. She has tried to rise to the challenge by taking on four different jobs (and interviewing for dozens more), but despite her incredible resilience, the weight of accumulated medical debt, prescription costs (which cost more than $500/month with insurance) and an impending loss of medical insurance by the end of the month are now pressing concerns.

In 2022, Kristin experienced the upheaval of moving home twice, and her jewelry business, 'Okina studio/shop, also lost the home Kristin had spent the happiest days of her life. It was forced to close for over a year, but was later reopened with the help and strong backs of friends, only to face closure again after just one day due to a family emergency on the mainland. The financial strain of these setbacks has been immense.

Despite undergoing chemotherapy, Kristin has strived to maintain her independence and rebuild her life. However, the recent diagnosis of diabetes, the physical toll of chemo, compounded by the emotional weight of recent challenges, has made it increasingly difficult for her to power through as she once did. Her health is further impacted by the absence of a dedicated artistic space, a crucial component to her spiritual and emotional health.

Now, Kristin is grappling with housing instability in Hawaii and an upside-down mortgage that exacerbates her financial predicament. Her home, a symbol of her hard work and independence, has become a source of stress rather than solace.

The loss of a pet-friendly Hawaii housing also necessitated her leaving her cats on the mainland to get the shop open. While she was gone, one of her beloved companions was tragically killed, leaving her heartbroken, guilt-ridden, and in even more debt.

The worst of it is that after all of these difficulties, Kristin has lost the seemingly bottomless reserve of hopeful energy and confidence that has allowed her to remain positive in the past.

Kristin has reached out to friends and family in times of need before, but she has been hesitant to ask for help now, believing that things would improve and trusting in the wrong places. Every attempt to rebuild her life has been met with unexpected setbacks, leaving her feeling overwhelmed and isolated. Simple tasks like taking her medication are now becoming challenging because of the effects of chemo in her brain; she has no one helping her remember if she has taken them.

I am writing this appeal to you, not just as a plea for financial assistance, but as an invitation to join us in lifting Kristin's spirits. She is a person of incredible generosity, love, and talent, and now, more than ever, she needs to experience the love and support that she has so freely given throughout her life.

Your contribution, no matter the size, will make a significant difference in helping Kristin navigate this challenging period. Let us come together as a community to provide her with the support she needs to rebuild her life, regain stability, and rediscover the joy that has been overshadowed by adversity.

Thank you for taking the time to read Kristin's story, and please consider sharing this message with your network. Together, we can make a meaningful impact on her journey towards healing and recovery.