This GoFundMe is for Melissa Ginsberg. Mel is a longtime fiddle player, having worked at Renaissance festivals and other events, as well as taught.

Mel recently ran into sudden health problems. A rapidly developing infection caused kidney damage, and the doctors aren't yet sure whether it will be permanent.

Right now, Mel is in the hospital, on dialysis and a breathing tube, and is being kept sedated due to the tube. Currently, the doctors are predicting several weeks before Mel could be home, and that prediction is still up in the air, depending on how recovery goes. Mel's minor daughter is currently in the care of local friends.

Mel relies solely on teaching and event income, so she has no income while in the hospital. The purpose of this GoFundMe is to keep Mel's rent and bills paid while she's in the hospital, so she doesn't wake up to an eviction notice. If we fully meet the goal, Mel will have some recovery time too.