Help Rita Hear Again

Hello friends! I am reaching out to family, friends and the music community both locally and nationwide to humbly ask for your support to aid a dear friend in need. Our lovely Rita Mollinary aka "Rita Rocker" is facing a seriously scary situation in which she will be losing 100% of her hearing ability without a cochlear implant, which is a very expensive procedure.

Essentially, Rita has degenerative hearing loss that started about 30 years ago and will continue to worsen over time. After much testing, it was determined it is a genetic disorder. She currently has no hearing in her left ear and is profoundly deaf in her right ear, meaning she can only hear in a limited fashion with the use of a hearing aid.

Losing your hearing is a frightening proposition for anyone, but it's especially painful for someone who loves music as much as Rita does. Rita is a huge fan of Phish and the Dead and is an avid supporter of the local north Jersey music community.

In order to prevent total hearing loss, Rita will need a cochlear implant in her left ear, which requires surgery by a specialist, a Otolaryngologist . This will allow her to have some hearing in that ear. And she also needs a new, more advanced, hearing aid in her right ear. It's very much in Rita's best interest to have this surgery as soon as possible before she loses her hearing completely in the right ear, because hearing with a cochlear implant takes time for your brain to acclimate to, and it's much easier when you have some natural hearing remaining. She eventually will also need an implant in the right ear.

This specialty is only covered at 50% through her insurance after meeting a large deductible. Rita hopes to have the surgery during the early part of next year.

A bit about Rita, for those who don't know her personally. She grew up in Bergen County and now lives in Sussex County, NJ. She has an adult daughter, Gina, who she raised as a single mother. For income, she runs a dog-sitting business called Mommy & Me out of her home. So yeah, maybe the only thing she loves more than music are dogs!! Rita is one of the sweetest people on earth, always smiling and never saying a bad word about anyone. She is a kind and gentle soul and adored by her friends and family.

Please consider donating whatever you feel comfortable with to contribute to this cause which will help Rita retain her hearing ability. Also, please share this in your local friend groups, music communities, and wherever you feel it will serve our cause. Thanks in advance!

Love ya Rita Rocker!!