Medical Fund for Martha Love

On Tuesday, February 23rd Martha Love was getting ready for work when she suffered from a severe ruptured brain aneurysm. Martha always arrives early to work, so her boss became alarmed when she didn't come in. Thankfully, he decided to drive to her house to check on her. From what we could gather, he must have found her partially conscious very shortly after the incident occurred. He called paramedics and she was taken immediately to Allegheny General Hospital where she underwent life saving brain surgery.

Emily Love is Martha's only child and her closest friend. Emily is a beautiful, loving, generous person who regularly attempts to undermine and challenge racism, classism and transphobia. If you know Emily Love, chances are very good that you've met Martha because the two are practically inseparable. Martha has frequently hosted Emily's birthday party at her house in the West End - even during her teenage years and into her twenties when it wasn't cool to party with your mom! Martha is a fiercely independent woman, who has always lived on the outskirts of society's norms, challenging gender roles and expectations, even when she didn't mean to. She is not only wise and street smart but hilarious, with strong political opinions and a tendency to push vitamins on Emily's friends (and any stranger who will listen). She's an incredibly tough woman with a wild heart and an intense desire to live.

Martha is recovering from her brain surgery as well as can be expected, but the doctors are reminding us that it is a long road to recovery. She remains in the Intensive Care Unit and has needed additional surgeries to help her breathe and intake food. We are unsure how much of Martha's medical expenses will be covered by her insurance, but it is clear that there will be considerable expenses for in-home care, home modifications to accommodate her limited mobility, and lost income due to not being able to work. Emily intends to be her primary caregiver, and may have to forego work to do so.

I have been best friends with Emily since high school. I think of Martha as my second mother and she thinks of me as her second daughter. I love these women as if they were my family because they are. They are both going through a life changing event but are going to come through the other side because of the strength and love of their community. Please give generously to them.