
Mary Needs a Microscope
Donation protected
Mary needs a microscope!
Hi, I’m Mary Hanson, an author, artist, nature photographer, and Certified California Naturalist living with terminal cancer. I’m also a blogger: https://chubbywomanwalkabout.com/ I use my blog to advance citizen science participation in the naturalist programs in the region and provide seniors with information on places where they can get some low-impact exercise in nature.
[[This is a photo of me in the field, photographing wild turkeys.]]
My cancer:
On Thanksgiving Day 2018, I was rushed to the hospital with severe pain in my abdomen. t turned out I had two forms of endometrial cancer; one somewhat sluggish and passive and the other one super-aggressive. The aggressive one had formed a tumor the size of a grapefruit (which I called “Wilson” after the soccer ball in the movie “Castaway” with Tom Hanks) in my abdomen which is what was causing the pain I was feeling. You can link to a video of the CAT scan that was done HERE . You can also read more about it on my blog .
Wilson was removed in mid-December, but not before he took the opportunity to rupture and spew cancer cells throughout my abdomen (which I now call “The Sons of Wilson”). There’s no way to tell where the cells will attach themselves to next, and the prognosis is not a good one. Bottom line, I may have about 5 years to live.
[[I survived the cancer surgery but the cancer is persistent.]]
Rather than spending what time I have left going through chemo treatments which would make me miserable and not guarantee me any more time, I’ve decided to forego treatment and spend my final years doing what I love: nature walks, photography, volunteering, and teaching future naturalists.
Why I need a microscope:
My most current naturalist focus is on small lifeforms like slime molds, tiny invertebrates, and fungi. I can get fairly good photos with my camera and macro lenses, but I’d really like to be able to see things on the microscopic level as well.
[[Me using my cellphone to get some close-up images of lichen.]]
I’d like to get a microscope that can link to a cellphone and/or laptop so I can capture images to share with my fellow naturalists and the general public on my blog.
Unable to work because of my cancer, I’m currently living on a fixed income and can’t afford the expense of a good microscope, so I’m reaching out to you to get help in purchasing one.
I’d like to get an ESSLNB 2000X Biological Monocular Microscope with Vertical Trinocular Port, with X-Y Axis Double Layer Mechanical Stage NA1.25 Abbe Condenser Oil Immersion Slides and Phone Adapter. Compound biological microscope comes with a 30° inclined binoculars viewing head, two pairs of widefield eyepieces (WF10X, WF20X), four Din achromatic objectives 4X, 10X, 40X(S),100X(S, Oil), large X-Y Axis double layer mechanical stage with scales, NA1.25 Abbe condenser with iris diaphragm, coaxial coarse & fine focus knobs and variable intensity LED transmitted illumination system. You can see it on Amazon.com.
Mary needs a Microscope! Will you help?
[In the event of my death, I intend that the microscope will be donated to further other naturalists education.]
Hi, I’m Mary Hanson, an author, artist, nature photographer, and Certified California Naturalist living with terminal cancer. I’m also a blogger: https://chubbywomanwalkabout.com/ I use my blog to advance citizen science participation in the naturalist programs in the region and provide seniors with information on places where they can get some low-impact exercise in nature.

My cancer:
On Thanksgiving Day 2018, I was rushed to the hospital with severe pain in my abdomen. t turned out I had two forms of endometrial cancer; one somewhat sluggish and passive and the other one super-aggressive. The aggressive one had formed a tumor the size of a grapefruit (which I called “Wilson” after the soccer ball in the movie “Castaway” with Tom Hanks) in my abdomen which is what was causing the pain I was feeling. You can link to a video of the CAT scan that was done HERE . You can also read more about it on my blog .
Wilson was removed in mid-December, but not before he took the opportunity to rupture and spew cancer cells throughout my abdomen (which I now call “The Sons of Wilson”). There’s no way to tell where the cells will attach themselves to next, and the prognosis is not a good one. Bottom line, I may have about 5 years to live.

Rather than spending what time I have left going through chemo treatments which would make me miserable and not guarantee me any more time, I’ve decided to forego treatment and spend my final years doing what I love: nature walks, photography, volunteering, and teaching future naturalists.
Why I need a microscope:
My most current naturalist focus is on small lifeforms like slime molds, tiny invertebrates, and fungi. I can get fairly good photos with my camera and macro lenses, but I’d really like to be able to see things on the microscopic level as well.

I’d like to get a microscope that can link to a cellphone and/or laptop so I can capture images to share with my fellow naturalists and the general public on my blog.
Unable to work because of my cancer, I’m currently living on a fixed income and can’t afford the expense of a good microscope, so I’m reaching out to you to get help in purchasing one.
I’d like to get an ESSLNB 2000X Biological Monocular Microscope with Vertical Trinocular Port, with X-Y Axis Double Layer Mechanical Stage NA1.25 Abbe Condenser Oil Immersion Slides and Phone Adapter. Compound biological microscope comes with a 30° inclined binoculars viewing head, two pairs of widefield eyepieces (WF10X, WF20X), four Din achromatic objectives 4X, 10X, 40X(S),100X(S, Oil), large X-Y Axis double layer mechanical stage with scales, NA1.25 Abbe condenser with iris diaphragm, coaxial coarse & fine focus knobs and variable intensity LED transmitted illumination system. You can see it on Amazon.com.
Mary needs a Microscope! Will you help?
[In the event of my death, I intend that the microscope will be donated to further other naturalists education.]
Organizer
Hanson K. Mary
Organizer
Rosemont, CA