We are Tash, Katie, Ben, and Lindsy - close friends of Marc and Kira.

Over the last few years we have watched Marc and Kira navigate the unimaginable with two cancer diagnoses. Over the last year, Kira has been recovering from her cancer treatment and surgery. As many of you know, this has allowed other medical issues to rise to the top, adding complication to her healing journey.

During this time, she has relied on TDI (Temporary Disability Insurance) to help cover medical costs, treatments, doctor visits, accessibility and mobility aids, general costs of living and more, but recently this lifeline was taken away.

She is currently caught in an administrative catch-22: due to her disability, she hasn’t been able to work, but because she hasn’t been able to work, her disability insurance has run out.

She is now faced with the decision to either return to work (which both she and her medical team feel is not the right choice as they continue to troubleshoot diagnosis and pain/mobility management) or remain without resources / support as her medical team recalibrates and negotiates possible next steps.

While Kira and her medical team focus on a diagnosis and treatment/followup care for her ongoing chronic illness, we are reaching out to the community for financial support. The insurance system has failed her, and medical costs as well as legal costs - to begin looking into disability insurance in the meantime - are an involved and time consuming process.

We are hoping to raise $18,000 to aid Kira’s medical journey and provide critical financial relief/support to her and Marc during this time.

We know that there are many GoFundMe fundraisers (and many other fundraising campaigns) that are worthy of your support, and we know that times are incredibly difficult for so many in our community. Any gift helps us meet this goal and ensure Kira and Marc continue focusing on healing and treatment during this difficult time.

Please feel free to share this campaign as signal boosting this is also a form of support!

Here are some stories from each of us

I met Kira and Marc in 2012 and they have been fixtures in my life ever since. I have always known them to be deeply kind and unfailingly generous community leaders. For over a decade, Kira, Marc, and their family have been stewards of a creative community through OUT LOUD Theatre and the Hawkridge Center for the Arts. Despite both of them navigating cancer over the past few years, Kira and Marc have maintained their steadfast commitment to providing a space for people to gather to make art and be in community. To know Kira and Marc is to be taken in by them and taken care of. It is only fitting that their community show them all the love and care they have consistently shown to others. This campaign is a way for the community they have built to support them just as they have supported us. Love you both so much! -- Tash

I have been lucky to be friends with this dynamic duo since 2014. In the past decade or so of knowing them, Marc and Kira have given so many people an opportunity to be a part of a community of not just artists, but people who genuinely care and uphold each other. They open their space and go out of their way to invite all who need a place to belong into the fold. Both actively encourage and support each member of the community individually in any way they can, which is truly a unique and special gift. It’s time for the community to do the same for them.

In 2017, I lost a family member very tragically after a short and unexpected illness. I happened to be with Marc and Kira when I found out this event was beginning. One thing I vividly remember is hanging up the phone with my mom and sobbing, and Kira’s arms immediately wrapping around me to hold me up and give me love and strength. The rally of support they started, and the incredible care they gave me, is something I will never forget. It takes very special humans to take on the care of others when they don’t have to. Marc and Kira do it without question. It’s a no-brainer to help them in their time of need as well.

Love you both, my friends. Let us help and support you now, too! -- Katie

I met Marc and Kira through school in 2010, and quickly became very close with them. Marc and I were frequently paired together in scenes for class, and there was always a brotherly feeling in our relationship. Like this is a man that will love you with his whole being, and I have always felt that from him. My relationship with Kira is no different. She and I clicked almost instantly as well, and every time we get to spend with each other is always filled with laughter and love. She even calls me a prince. Marc and Kira fill the world with so much creativity, love, and light and in their time of need it is important to reflect that back to them. I love you both tremendously. -- Ben

I’ve known Marc and Kira since 2010 and when I tell you they are the most generous and loving people, I mean it with my whole heart. Despite BOTH of them battling cancer, they have remained so positive and supportive. Despite the absolute financial chaos of medical emergencies, they continue to provide an artistic outlet to their community - usually at their own cost - through the Hawkridge Center for the Arts. This campaign is about supporting them as they have supported so many of us throughout the years. I know that if I was going through a tenth of what they were going through they would be doing the same for me. We love you Marc & Kira, this is why community exists, to uplift, support, and provide, especially when systems fail us. Sending you big hugs and lots of love from NYC. -- Lindsy "LB"