Help with Jahaira's Surgery Costs
Jahaira Moreno Giraldo is an 18-year-old dance student who lives in Paramonga, Peru. She is the daughter of Emilio Moreno, someone I have known for 14 years and who is one of the most reliable, decent, and generous people I know. Jahaira has contracted a brain lesion, a "cavernous sinus meningioma", which requires emergency surgery in order to protect Jahaira’s sight in her right eye. We are committed to helping the family raise $8500 for Jahaira’s brain surgery; I hope you will join and offer support.
Far off in the Southern Hemisphere on the coast of Peru 125 miles north of Lima, Jahaira’s situation can seem distant and insignificant, especially when so many have faced hardship much closer to home over the past year. However, for me, making sure that Jahaira receives the medical treatment she requires feels close and critically important.
Jahaira’s father Emilio is one of my most trusted friends for whom I have a countless amount of gratitude and respect. I first met Emilio and his brother Cesar when I hired them to help me move apartments. Soon enough Emilio was regularly helping at Nimbus with set construction and production work. So much of Nimbus’ accomplishments simply would not have been possible if it weren’t for Emilio: our earliest performances at Grace Church where we’d build out a complete theater (tiered seating, lights, sound) within a 19th century church; annual Nutcracker productions, each year more elaborate with sets, lights, specialized dance floors; and the build-out of each of the four studio locations that Nimbus has inhabited as we’ve grown, outgrown spaces, lost leases, etc. over the years. Emilio has been a fixture through it all: calmly and dependably accomplishing incredible amounts of work, a truly cherished member of the Nimbus family.
While Emilio has been unwavering in his support of Nimbus’ goals, his own life has been a true testament to family commitment and sacrifice. Living separated from his wife, son and daughter for 15 years while supporting them financially and ensuring that his children receive an education in Peru has opened my eyes to a heart-wrenching calculation (far too common in this world) that Emilio and his family have made based on access to jobs, resources, and stability.
It has been very meaningful to me to watch the ways that, in spite of the distance, Emilio and Jahaira have been able to share and communicate about dance. While Jahaira pursues dance in Peru, Emilio, a musician himself, shares videos and stories with her about his involvement in the dance field through Nimbus. Even if it’s not the same as being able to attend Jahaira’s performances in person, it is touching that, while far apart, Emilio’s work at Nimbus has created a way for he and Jahaira to share about her interests and activities.
Emilio is like family, please join in helping Jahaira through this tight spot. 