Help Monique 'Kiki' Verrier Defeat Breast Cancer

Hello wonderful human! The inimitable Monique 'Kiki' Verrier has been diagnosed with breast cancer and she needs your help. Monique consistently supports so many in her vast and varied community and beyond. Now it's time for all of us to summon our inner Kiki to support her. Let's show her how much she is loved!

SHORT ATTENTION SPAN VERSION

Monique was diagnosed with breast cancer in late July. She will need immediate surgery, several weeks of daily radiation treatments, possibly chemo and definitely endocrine therapy, along with ongoing screening and regular monitoring for recurrence.

The long-term prognosis is very good, but the next few months are going to be rough. While Monique has adequate health insurance, her current plan includes large copayments and high deductibles. She will also be unable to work for several weeks during treatment and recovery. As a consultant and freelancer, no work = no paycheck.

Funds from this GoFundMe will be used for:

Please donate what you can, and if donating isn't financially feasible, please share this fundraiser with everyone you know who loves Monique. Thank you!

[The small print: Hi, my name is Stefanie, aka Stefbot. I've started this fundraiser to help support Kiki because she is a treasure chest of a friend who is incredibly generous with her time, always there to lend a hand, listen, make you laugh, help solve problems, and handle... well, everything. Like her t-shirt says, "Keep calm and let Kiki handle it." But there are some things no one should ever have to handle on their own, and the financial burden of medical care in the midst of cancer treatment is one of them. It took some convincing, but Monique thankfully agreed to let us help. So let's do this, people.]

THE FULL DETAILS

[Direct from Monique]

Diagnosis

I’ve become a member of the ‘shitty titty committee’ and been diagnosed with breast cancer. I’ll need immediate surgery, several weeks of daily radiation treatments, possibly chemo and definitely endocrine therapy, along with ongoing screening and regular monitoring for recurrence.

Fortunately, I have a commonly-diagnosed type of breast cancer with a well-established treatment protocol. My long-term prognosis is good (yay!), but the next few months are going to suck a little bit. My cancer is not a lump or mass, it’s more of a ‘schmear’ full of microcalcifications. It isn’t palpable, and it was found on a routine screening mammogram. Those of you who know me well know that I’m maybe the least private and modest person in the world, so…I have breast cancer, AMA (ask me anything)!

The Reality: Timing is Everything

I’ve always been self-sufficient and gainfully employed… if this diagnosis had been made before 2022, I’d have great insurance, medical leave, sick pay and more. Unfortunately, my company closed in October 2022 and I’ve been freelancing and consulting since then. I’m also trying to start my own business -- Peace Out: a coaching consultancy dedicated to end-of-life education, decisions and documentation (stay tuned for the launch in 2025!).

The insurance I have now is adequate, but requires large copayments and high deductibles. I’ve spent thousands already and haven’t even had surgery yet. When I don’t work, I don't get paid, and I will need to take many weeks off of work, and then ease back into things slowly as I recover. I don’t have adequate savings to attack this problem and going into medical debt of this magnitude will be devastating for my future.

PSA

PLEASE GET YOUR REGULAR SCREENINGS: mammogram, dermatology, dental, colonoscopy etc. etc. etc. -- early detection saves lives. And I want all of you to live as long as possible, because you are my people and the world needs you.

Why Everybody Loves Monique

[Note: I asked Kiki to brag about herself for this part, but this ain't bragging, it's just FACTS. Kiki is amazing!]

I always refer to my extended community as the United Nations of military brats, advertising geeks, University of Maryland alums, Gamma Phi Beta sorority sisters, Burners, and geriatric ravers!

I don’t have kids but I definitely have a ‘mom gene’ - I was the pledge director in my sorority, I’m a dog rescuer and emergency canine foster ‘parent’, I’ve organized more Burning Man camps and helped build more art projects than I can count, and currently am a manager for Playa Info (the information station in BRC), and help run things by sitting on an annual planning council.

I'm a devoted daughter, sister, auntie, and pseudo-wife to my best friend and partner, Colin. In my career, I’ve played left brain to many, many creative right-brained advertising folks. I especially love a shenanigan, side quest or three, and hazing is my love language. I routinely donate my time, energy and money to many important causes, and I’m a go-to, good-in-a-crisis, ride-or-die loyal and steadfast friend who always comes through. I am nothing if not dependable AF. I’m also predisposed to optimism and I know I’ll be okay - eventually.

My life is overflowing with creative, generous, curious, talented, incredible people. Although it’s difficult to ask for help, I’m grateful to be surrounded by support, love and hope.