#HelpMelanieCervantes Fight Cancer

As many of you may know, Melanie Cervantes, our friend, movement sister and cultural warrior, recently shared that a nodule has been found in her right lung after experiencing heart palpitations. Despite a battery of tests and a bronchoscopy procedure, she now faces a biopsy to determine if there is evidence of cancer, and if there is no evidence of cancer, there is a possibility of undergoing a lobectomy which would remove one of the three lobes in her right lung.(Update: Melanie has been diagnosed with a rare form of lung cancer. She has a carcinoid tumor in her right lung and will need to undergo treatment).

 

The physical and emotional stress of this health set back has been extremely challenging for Melanie, but more so because she has not had enough strength to continue working as an independent artist, which means zero income generation at this time. With so many extra and hidden costs, Melanie and her partner, Jesus, are confronted with a significant change to their out-of-pocket expenses as they deal with insurance, medical treatments, day-to-day living expenses, and most importantly, time to manage this new reality. When Melanie made the decision to go independent and to devote her life full time to her movement art making, she probably never thought that she would have to stop working for months in order to confront a medical battle.

 

Here’s where you come in: Melanie needs our help and support now more than ever to help her weather this medical storm, to give her the necessary time to focus her energy on healing, and to not worry about how to live day to day for the next 6 months. We can help her to do this.

 

This page has been set up to help Melanie not have to worry about generating an income in the midst of this frightening medical challenge. Any amount, large or small, makes a difference. Won’t you join me and chip in to help Melanie?


We know that we are so very grateful to have worked with Melanie and to be moved by her cultural contributions to our shared movements. Let’s show her that we have her back and stand in solidarity with her as she moves towards health and well-being.  It is going to take all of us with prayer, love, strength, and support to help you her through this.

 

Thank you all for your love and generosity in supporting Melanie. 

Sending you much love, blessings and gratitude,

 

Gina Acebo and Morning Star Gali