Dear friends, family, and music community, 

This will be some very difficult news to take in and comprehend (like it was for us), but we wanted to post this update ASAP in support of our dear friend, colleague, and sister, Sita Chay.

As some of you may know, Sita is pregnant with her second child and is scheduled to give birth via C-section this Friday, Feb 13th at 8:30am EST. This has become a high-risk pregnancy since November, when through some routine pregnancy tests and a chest X-ray, a sizable tumor (i.e., anterior mediastinal mass) was discovered in Sita’s chest between her lungs. While not 100% certain, doctors believe it is most likely a thymoma, and hopefully not cancer. A thymoma is an abnormal growth of the thymus gland, which presses on internal organs such as the heart, slowly grows, and impacts her immune system. They have also discovered that she has Myasthenia gravis (MG), a significant autoimmune disease, which can be lifelong. This means that the body’s antibodies attack the neuromuscular junctions and cause muscle weakness. This condition can worsen during stress and postpartum, which could also impact the baby at childbirth. If the baby is impacted by the antibodies, it may require the baby to be in intensive care, but we will not know much until the end of the week. 

A pivot in her birthing team and to C-section (from natural birth) also became imperative due to a potential cardiopulmonary collapse that could occur if the tumor ends up pressing on organs and vessels during surgery. There will be an extensive team of doctors present at labor (including several OB-GYNs specialized in high-risk births, several anesthesiologists, a neurologist, a pediatric neurologist, a neonatologist…) who will be ready to handle any emergencies related to the baby and/or Sita.

The treatment of her thymoma and MG will require another surgery shortly after the birth to remove the mass in her chest so that it doesn’t grow or spread. MG may require management of symptoms with medications should they arise later on. This second surgery is planned for early March, depending on Sita's recovery from the C-section and the newborn’s needs.

This all feels so overwhelming, like the “perfect storm,” but in true Sita fashion, she is the jovial and positive Sita we all know and love! Over the months, she has been a champ and continues to be the best mommy to Satya and partner to Nikolai, who are standing steadfastly by her side. Sita is also feeling very good and confident about her doctors and the care she is receiving at Columbia Presbyterian. 

Our collective monetary contributions here (no amount is too small) will undoubtedly help and provide some temporary relief to Sita and her family while they are going through these challenging times. These funds will help, especially given that Sita’s Broadway show closed last August (and insurance may run out at the end of September). 100% of funds raised will go to Sita and Nikolai directly.

We thank each of you for taking the time to read this and care about our beloved Sita. There’s nothing harder than asking for help when you are used to being able and self-sufficient. But we know Sita and Nikolai will forever be grateful to have the support to tap into (imbued with all of our love) for medical bills, child care, and living costs during the time she cannot work, in order to fully recover and transition into becoming a family of 4. 

In the meantime, we encourage you to reach out to Sita and send her your well wishes. Every text/call/voice memo would be uplifting to her. The power of collective prayer and sending positive, healing energy can also never be underestimated. Please do this on Friday (and beyond) for Sita and her baby, and send some extra love to Nikolai and Satya.

We will post updates here as more info becomes available.

With love and gratitude,

Kiku and Charlene