MUTUAL AID REQUEST - Help Marni Recover!

My name is Monika, and I am reaching out to help raise money for an amazing community leader who puts the work in! Marni has coordinated numerous events to support her community in the greater Twin Cities, including co-founding a nonprofit that received national recognition for providing youth programming and outreach during the pandemic. She leads with love and passion and fiercely advocates for equality and change. Marni needs our help to carry on the work she has done time and time again. During hardships, we could all benefit from mutual aid to sustain ourselves.

Please read her statement below and pass along this link to support!

To my community:

In January of 2022, I got COVID. My autoimmune disorder (Rheumatoid Arthritis) caused a significant inflammatory response in my body that resulted in plural effusion around my lungs, bone marrow edema and severe spondylitis (arthritis) along my entire spine. Medical specialists have been working hard to control the symptoms and chronic pain with specialty medications, physical therapy, and strict dietary changes - but haven’t been able to reduce the inflammation in my spine.

I haven't been able to work much since then. We had to pay out-of-pocket insurance costs upwards of $10k, have since depleted our savings account, overspent on credit cards and are now struggling to pay rent and bills. To reduce pain and hopefully help me get on a path to get back to work, I have had radiofrequency ablation (cauterization of the nerve endings) on my spine. On October 24th, I had the first of three surgical procedures, starting with the cervical (neck) area.

I have been experiencing even more pain than before the surgery, and on November 8th, I had my 2nd surgery, bilateral lumbar (lower back both sides). On November 22nd, I had the final spinal procedure, bilateral thoracic (both sides mid-back). It has also been recommended I have open surgery on my right shoulder to address bone marrow edema and labral fraying.

At this point, it doesn’t look like I will be able to work for at least the rest of the year. I applied for disability in February, appealed a denial in May, and I’m still waiting for results from the appeal- but in the meantime, we’re struggling to stay afloat.

Any help is greatly appreciated. Thank you.