If you know her, you love her. Since moving to Chicago from Tucson in 2014, Alisar put her nose to the grindstone to establish herself as one most hardworking, kind-spirited and enthusiastic members of the city's food and beverage industry. Between Arizona and Illinois, she's done it all: prepped/cooked in the kitchen, been a barista and is still currently a server, social media manager and event coordinator for a Logan Square-based restaurant group.

Unfortunately, the industry queen with a smile that lights up an entire room has come across hard times. In the past 15 months, Alisar: was diagnosed with fibromyalgia (a chronic pain disorder) shortly after her mom was diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer; endured a sudden/disruptive separation from her husband that caused a depletion of all her savings; was priced out of her apartment/home of three years and forced to move; underwent an emergency appendectomy without insurance; and lost one of her digital marketing jobs after her employer downsized their business for the winter months.

Any of these life-altering events would make for a challenging year -- but combined? While you would be hard-pressed to find anyone more resilient than Alisar, I think we can acknowledge that this would be immensely stressful and exhausting time for even the strongest people in our lives. To make matters worse, earlier this week Alisar was billed for additional legal fees to settle her divorce -- a total of $2,500 on top of the several thousand already paid.

And so, friends old and new, we are asking for $3,000 to help secure both Alisar's legal fees for her divorce ($2,500) and funds to manage the crippling discomfort/pain associated with her fibromyalgia ($500). Alisar spends over $1,000 a month in pain management; without pain relief she cannot work or function. Although she utilizies trigger-point therapy, craniosacral therapy, acupuncture, a chiropractor, and supplements to minimize her side effects (e.g. nausea, migraines, fatigue, body aches/weakness, sensitivity to noise/light/smells/touch), these treatments are costly. Abstaining from them over a long period of time, however, has left her bedridden for days. Furthermore, when stress levels are high (like right now!), her symptoms are only more strenuously felt.

As such, we would immensely appreciate any/all assistance to raise dollars -- and support -- for this radiant young woman. Thank you for your time and happy early New Year.

Best,
Alex (Alisar's roommate) & Alisar