Hi friends! My name is Joshua Vern and I'm a full-time actor, musician, and performer. I've been performing with Drunk Shakespeare for the past two years, which is an absolute blast, with one minor caveat: I can't breathe!

I caught COVID-19 for the first time in 2022 while I was on a national tour with "Schoolhouse Rock! Live" and ever since then, my right sinus has been completely closed off. A CT scan showed that the entire sinus cavity on that side is being plugged up by a massive growth. Unfortunately for myself, this issue is compounded by a deviated septum restricting airflow to my left side, and we're left with a person who has to hold their breath when they eat it's great lung capacity training but to be honest, I'd rather not.

The reasons I'm asking for help are:

1 - I've had a surgery scheduled for the 23rd! That's very soon!! I was told initially that my upfront cost would be somewhere in the ballpark of $100-200, but now I've only just received notice that they're expecting over $1500 upfront. I don't have that money available to me at all which leads me to the second reason I'm asking for help...

2 - we're unionizing!! I'm functioning as a Union leader in negotiations with my employer and Actor's Equity, which is wonderful for my future prospects, but at the moment, the process has left me significantly financially crippled.

3- I'm an actor and a musician! Which means I won't be able to work while I'm in recovery! Unfortunately it's not a job I can perform while I've got my nose plugged up. Meeting my goal here would allow me not only to afford the surgery, but to cover basic expenses while I'm recovering.

I've been dreaming about the day I can breathe properly again, and I want to thank you for helping me to make that a reality ❤️