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Marissa's Healing Fund

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Our fierce and compassionate friend, Marissa Percoco, is at an unexpected turn in her life's path and she needs your help. It seemed as though 2020 couldn't possibly throw any more curve balls; but it did.  On December 28,  Marissa was informed that she has stage 2 breast cancer. There are many unknowns at this time of how this journey towards healing her body will unfold, but one thing is certain: this parasitic thing that exists in her body is not her burden to carry alone.

We, her community, are going to support her every step of the way on her journey to being healed and vibrant, as she has held and supported so many of us. I say we because we are going to be her mooring, anchoring her while her vessel goes through this storm. Every cent that is donated and every prayer that is cast to the winds for her is contributing to the grounding rod that she and her kids, River 14 and Ady 14, need right now.

Our intention with this fundraiser, our goal, is to raise $35,000 to make Marissa's journey through accepting, treating and healing from breast cancer as smooth and supported as it can possibly be. Whether you know her personally, know of her, or haven't yet met her, I am here to tell you all the reasons why we need to rise to the opportunity to support this special human and her family through this challenge.

The Money Mission
Financially speaking, and in so many other ways, cancer isn't cheap and Marissa is far from loaded, as she has spent her life cultivating community and relations, not well paying jobs. The funds raised from this campaign will be helping to cover her and her kid's life expenses (mortgage, bills, gas, etc.) as she won't be working over the next many months. The timeline for treatment is not yet totally clear, but it is moving quickly, and as of now it looks like surgery will be in February, as we are trying to heal this as quickly as possible. 

We aim to see that she never has to stress about money while she navigates doctor's appointments, alternative therapies, supplements, is receiving treatment, and has breast reconstructive surgery, because her health insurance won't cover it all. She also needs a car, not something new and fancy, but she needs an alternative to the 15 passenger van that she has been using for the homeschool nature connection program that she runs, as appointments are piling up. 


About Marissa
I am one person who loves Marissa deeply, and I have a lot to say about her and why I think she is deserving of community support. However, I want other voices to be heard, so here are some words from beloveds in her life. Maybe if you don't know her personally these reflections will help you connect with this magical being and understand why she is a force who breathes beauty into this world, gives so much, is a mama to so many, and now needs her turn to be cradled and nurtured.

  "Marissa is one of the most giving women I know. She gives her whole self to people emotionally, physically, and mentally. She has raised several children, mostly on her own, and has also taken in a few others as her own, including mine. The love she has for our community is limitless. I have witnessed her mother our community, hold us, feed us, make us laugh, wipe our tears. It's our turn now. It is our turn to give back, to show up, to hold her through this journey. What an opportunity and blessings it is to give back to someone who has been a part of the foundation of our community. "
~Page Schneider: Community Midwife, SpiritSister, Friend

   "As playful as a care-free spirit, yet serious about the things that matter. She laughs easily and listens deeply. She is generous with her time, her hard working hands and her medicinal intuition. Abounding in thoughtfulness, she lifts those around her with her own strength. Most admirable of all, she is always learning and growing into her next best self, and encouraging others to do the same. She makes the word a better place just by being herself."
~Chloe Tipton: Assistant Director of Firefly Gathering, SpiritSister, Friend

  "Marissa has been integral to Earthskills and Firefly communities for many years. Her love for her  family, and service in coordinating funds for youth programs is legendary. She listens to and helps community elders, encouraging others to do the same. Marissa’s bubbly enthusiasm for life, her organizational skills, her dedication to ancestors is now challenged, due to severe health concerns and need for surgery.Please help Marissa continue her love of life, contributing to the world for much longer, by giving what you can to help cover medical costs. Marissa means the world to so many. "
~Nancy Basket: Elder, Teacher, Guide, Friend

   "My love, in words for Marissa, have seeped into the previous paragraphs of this fundraiser campaign; however, this hasn't touched the personal depth and importance that she is to me. I identify this woman as being my deeply soul bonded sister-wifey. She has held me thru my pain, has highlighted hard truths in my life in the ways that I have limited myself and others, and has inspired me to dream big and to believe in the magic of living. Her presence in my life makes me a stronger, better and braver human and I plan to grow old with her, to sit in her gardens as we turn grey, and to reflect on the feral lives we have lived together."
~Madison Moore: Earthskills CoOrganizer, Sister-Wifey, and Anchor


If you have any questions regarding this campaign, I (Madison), will be answering them and you can contact me thru this platform . Marissa is inevitably going to be flooded with love and support, but I'll be handling the logistical components of all this jazz.  Also, send loving words to her and if you don't hear back from , know she loves you and also has a limited capacity right now for communications.

Donations 

  • Anonymous
    • $40 
    • 1 yr
  • Anonymous
    • $50 
    • 2 yrs
  • Doug Elliott
    • $50 
    • 2 yrs
  • Anonymous
    • $15 
    • 2 yrs
  • Candace Carlson Smith
    • $100 
    • 2 yrs

Fundraising team (2)

Madison Moore
Organizer
Raised $948 from 16 donations
Barnardsville, NC
Chloe Tipton
Team member
Raised $420 from 7 donations
This team raised $22,725 from 288 other donations.

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