Restore Arrena’s Smile!

Hi, my name is Lindsey and I am fundraising for this amazing woman in the photo, Arrena. Last year Arrena was diagnosed with cancer on her tongue. In July she had major surgery to remove the cancer and reconstruct her tongue and areas of the chin and neck where lymph nodes were removed. She has regained her ability to speak through speech therapy and continues to improve weekly. Arrena is also working on eating by mouth again.

The surgical reconstruction had healed now and Arrena is ready to get fitted for new dentures. These will assist with speech and eating by mouth, so new dentures are a necessary adaptive device for recovery.

Unfortunately, insurance does not cover the exam for dentures or the actual dentures themself.

We are asking for community support to Restore Arrena’s Smile, and assist in her recovery.

The exam and fitting = $2,000

Dentures: $5000-$7000

Friends say:

”Arrena is my sister from another mister is she puts it. When you meet her, her huge smile is the first thing you notice. She is bold, brash, larger than life with and her smile matches. If anyone knows what their own smile means to their inner self, it's me. Arrena is awesome no matter what, I just want to see her flash that smile so the rest of the world can see it.” -Pam

“Arrena means the world to me. Friends like her don’t come along often. Honest, loyal, feisty. A friend that will fight the world for you, and even fight you for you when you need it.” -Kitty

“Arrena is a person who finds the greatest joy out of the smallest details of life and she shares that positivity with everyone she reaches. She is going through something that most of us can’t even imagine, and she still goes out of her way to put a smile on any face she can. Please help us to restore her smile, which will also help restore much of her speech.” -Dani

“There are many adjectives that can be used to describe Arrena but words don't really justify or encapsulate who she is.

In retrospect, I know that until I met Arrena I didn't have standard or clear idea of what friendship, loyalty, love, family should really look like and that is one of the things that I have to thank her for the most.

We have experienced highs and lows, we have lived together, worked together, quit work together. We have traveled, we have counted our pennies, we have slept on couches in times of need, we have done fun and fancy things, we have peed in allies, we've had dinners that cost $$$$S when we were doing well and shared $5 lunches when we were struggling. When I didn't have, she had for me and never was there * or expectation attached to what she given and shared with me.

This is what she will do for anyone she has brought into her circle. I can go on forever because we have a lifetime of shared stories and more than half of them sounds fake; being friends has just been a fascinating journey for this weirdo, scared, lonely kid she met. the cost of this surgery she needs is but a spec of an unmeasurable fraction compared to the value she has brought to my life and to everyone she knows. I hope we can all help like she's helped those around her.“ - Iris

”Arrena has touched my heart and mind in so many ways. As a close friend and BP family connect she holds a special place in my spirit. It is with the utmost pre gratitude that I ask community to help in assisting her with obtaining the dental work needed to improve her speech after a life changing surgery. I thank her for all the love and community she has shown us all and would love if community could shower that love back on to her” -Brie

“Arrena is my chosen family. She has been one of the best friends anyone could ever ask for. Arrena has taught me exactly what it means to love unconditionally and protect your inner circle. I have never met anyone who is as unselfish as her. We have shared so much in the time we have known each other and I have had the honor and privilege of learning how a friendship can blossom and grow organically. Safe, brave, and fierce are the spaces I would describe as Arrena spaces. Wherever she is present physically or in spirit, Arrena brings with her a comfort as well as shared grit for navigating the world. We are blessed to have her in our lives.” - Ori