One step at a time and one day at a time is how Lisa has been living life since her diagnosis of colorectal cancer that metastasized to her lungs in July 2021. Lisa is a resilient, cancer thriver, and a dear friend whom I met in 2015 when we worked together as theatre wardrobe supervisors at the Geffen Playhouse in Los Angeles. Over the years, our shared love for theatre and dance has built a strong bond, and I’ve witnessed Lisa’s incredible strength and kindness firsthand. She has managed the hurdles life keeps throwing at her, but needs assistance and encouragement from time to time.

Lisa has faced chemo, radiation, surgeries in 2022, and a couple of hiccups requiring hospitalizations in 2023 and 2025. With ongoing chemo treatments, she is managing to keep the cancer mostly in check, thanks to the help of an outstanding medical team. Lisa returned to work in November 2022, working when her health allows and when opportunities arise. She even worked The Lion King Tour and other tours with her chemo pump connected, showing her dedication to her craft and her mental health. Nowadays, Lisa is a dresser in Costa Mesa, CA, but she has spent 30 years in the theatrical industry, including 18 summers as Production Stage Manager at the Vail Dance Festival and 11 years as Wardrobe Supervisor at Arizona Theatre Company. She has been working in and around Los Angeles since 2015.

For the most part, Lisa has managed financially until 2026, when the insurance world exploded. Between premium increases (she self-pays for insurance), new deductibles, and a very large increase in the out-of-pocket expense limit, it is daunting to imagine how she will afford to keep her health stable. Lisa has already started thinking about what appointments she can postpone or cancel. Every gift of help will go directly to insurance premiums, deductibles, medical care, and supplies for Buddy (ileostomy) and Thing 1 & 2 (nephrostomies) that keep her moving and grooving for as long as she can. Please send words of encouragement and, if you feel inclined, monetary support. Please spread the word and share this message with everyone in your dance and theater communities. Thank you for helping Lisa achieve peace of mind so she can focus on thriving with cancer and not worry about insurance woes! Lisa said, “I still have a lot of fight in me and things I want to do before my clock runs out.”