Update: March 22, 2026

Subject: A Final Note of Thanks and Transparency

Body:

As the organizer of this fundraiser, I recognize my responsibility to provide one final update to all of you who so generously contributed.

I am pleased to share that all funds raised have been delivered to the family. I am profoundly grateful—as is the family—for the incredible support we have achieved together.

Moving forward, I will be honoring the family’s request for privacy as they continue to mourn. Out of respect for their wishes, I do not expect to post any further updates after this one.

Thank you for your immense kindness and for understanding the need to give the family the space they require.

•••

Update: March 14, 2026

"She’s free to be the magic that she was."

These words, shared today by her lifelong friend Reneé Lawter, capture the spirit of the news it is now time to share.

(proceed to the updates section for full posting)

Update: March 6, 2026 — An Urgent Change in Our Mission

After talking with the family, we are sharing a difficult and sudden update. Rene recently traveled to Idaho to be with her daughter, Willow, for her wedding—a milestone Rene was determined to witness. Unfortunately, while there, Rene’s condition deteriorated significantly. Rene has now entered home hospice care, and the family has decided to keep her in Idaho rather than risk the physical toll of moving her back to Los Angeles.

Rene is currently in the full-time care of Willow, while her partner, Jeff, works to bridge the distance from Los Angeles to Idaho to join them. Because Rene is outside of her resident state, her insurance provides little to no coverage for the specialized hospice care she requires. Our mission has now shifted: we are racing to cover the weekly expenses of private, out-of-network hospice and the costs required to keep the family together during this precious time.

To the Los Angeles & South Bay Yoga, Burlesque, and Toy Maker Communities:

If you have stepped onto a stage in Southern California over the last 20 years, you likely know the name Madeline Sinclaire. But behind the feathers and the stage lights is a woman named Rene, who worked most of her professional career in the toy industry. Rene is now facing the hardest project and performance of her life.

Rene has been diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer that has spread to her brain and now her bones, resulting in a partial loss of her eyesight and limited mobility. For a woman who built her life on movement and vision—not just as a performer and yoga teacher, but as a sharp-eyed consultant and artisan—this diagnosis is a cruel contrast to the strength and mastery she has always shown.

Rene is absolutely one of those true architects of the LA burlesque revival. From her early days as an instructor at Heart & Pole in Hermosa Beach to producing the iconic "BEUTEASE" under the Redondo Beach pier and co-producing “Blonde Brunette Productions presents Peek-a-view,” Rene has been a mentor to hundreds. As a modern-day local legend, she literally built the tools—the custom feather fans and intricate costumes of the Showgirl Propshop—that allowed other performers to shine. She is a world-class performer hand-picked by John Waters for the Viva Las Vegas showcases and a respected professional with over 20 years of experience in the consumer products and toy industries.

Now, Rene needs us to be her stage crew -- The Reality Behind the Curtain:

Because Rene is currently in Idaho, she is facing a massive financial gap. Every hour of comfort, every medical necessity, and every moment of dignity now comes with an out-of-pocket price tag. We want to remove the crushing weight of these costs so Rene and her family can focus entirely on peace, love, and each other.

How Your Gift Helps Rene Today:

• $10 — The Lifeline: Fills the gaps for immediate, small needs.

• $50 - The Nourish-Mint: Helps to covers a week of grocery delivery fees, service surcharges, and tips for Rene & her family.

• $100 — The Comfort Kit: Covers specialized supplies and medication not covered by out-of-state insurance.

• $250 — The Family Bridge: Helps with the utilities and home costs still mounting back in LA and now in Idaho.

• $600 — The Hospice Hour: Provides approximately 4 hours of essential, professional hospice care.

• $1,200+ — The Safety Net: Provides a major bridge for rent and the intensive weekly cost of end-of-life support.

Rene gave our community the feathers to fly and the breath to move. If not for Rene, I personally would have never been introduced to the world of burlesque; without her influence, events like the "Vermont Burlesque Festival" may have never happened. Rene either directly or indirectly is responsible for fostering so many relationships and creative moments.

Having personal experience guiding my life partner through a similar cancer process, I understand directly how hard it is to ask for help when facing the threat of financial depression reveals itself—so I am asking on behalf of Rene and her family.

If your life has been touched by the art, the movement, or the confidence Rene helped cultivate, please join me in being the spotlight that guides her through this darkness.

If you cannot donate, please share this urgently with those who know and love Rene. Every hour counts.