In January, Laura was diagnosed with stage two breast cancer. Since then it has been all hands on deck. Laura’s been living in Newburgh with her family since the diagnosis and she’s been relying on them and her larger network to care for her through these grueling months of chemo, from running errands to driving back and forth to her hospital in Manhattan.

Unfortunately, the cancer and chemo has complicated a previously existing issue Laura has - a disease called PBC, a progressive autoimmune disease of the liver. To put it simply: Laura's body is exhausted and weak. As friends, it's hard to witness the toll the surgery, radiation, and chemo have taken on her.

Right now, Laura only has five chemo sessions left. After she completes chemo at the end of August, Laura will take a break for one month. In October, she will be required to come into the city for 30 days of radiation.

We all know how shitty healthcare and medical leave is for folks in this country, especially those working on a contract or project basis. This diagnosis came at a particularly difficult time financially for Laura as she had taken time off work as a creative director to finish paintings for her first solo show in Mexico City. While she goes through the treatment process, Laura has been unable to resume her work or painting practice and is relying on Medicaid to cover her cancer treatment.

Which brings us here to this page you’re reading! Laura would be the last person to ask for help, so we are striving to be as specific as possible for the money we’re requesting. Since it will be extremely difficult (if not impossible) for her family to commute daily from Newburgh to NYC for this next round of treatment, we are looking for an October sublet near the hospital, a place Laura can walk to, if possible, while she needs daily radiation. She has a small pool of friends who will grocery shop and cook meals, so all extra funds will go toward those expenses.

Most of all, Laura needs the support from her community to get through this moment. We know she can beat this.

Love and solidarity to all --

Sousan and Lingling