THANK YOU TO ALL MY FRIENDS WHO SUPPORTED THIS FUNDRAISER. I WIRED THE MONEY RAISED ON 12/15/25 TO MY FRIEND IN SRI LANKA. I WILL PROVIDE UPDATES ON MY FACEBOOK PAGE WHEN SHE RECEIVES THE MONEY AND APPLIES IT TO THE RECOVERY EFFORT.

In 2013, a Sri Lankan journalist reached out to me because she was writing an article about my best friend, Susan Spencer-Wendel, who had written a New York Times bestseller about her pursuit of joy while living with ALS.

The reporter felt such a strong connection to Susan’s story that she decided to undertake a translation of the book into Sinhalese. When she was finished, she sent me a copy of the Sinhalese translation of the book, which I have kept along with her newspaper articles about Susan’s book, Until I Say Goodbye.

In the 12 years since, we have remained in touch via Facebook, and from a distance I have watched her beautiful children grow up. So, when I learned that Cyclone Ditwah had filled the entire first floor of her home with water, I asked her if I could help.

“Your kindness is enough,” was her initial response. But it didn’t feel like it was, so I asked again. She then confessed that her family was going to have to rebuild their home and replace their belongings, as would her parents, who live in the same small neighborhood. Like much of the country, the whole area was inundated in flash flooding.

In Sri Lanka, there is no such thing as flood insurance, and government resources are extremely limited, so recovery is a challenge.

My friend reluctantly agreed to accept funds, but with the steadfast promise that she would share them with others in need. “I am glad we have a house to clean up and go back,” she said. “Some people actually lost their homes due to landslides.”

I created this fundraiser because I feel as though Susan would have done it. For me, it is a way to keep her generous spirit alive. It made her so happy to know that her story had resonated with people around the world, and by helping my Sri Lankan friend and her neighbors, that connection will continue.

I will provide updates as I receive them from my friend, who did not want her identity shared only because she is conscious of the widespread needs in Sri Lanka and is not accustomed to receiving charity of any kind.

In part, the funds will be used to renovate my friend's home and replace lost belongings. She will also share the funds with neighbors in need.

(My name is Nancy Kinnally, and I live in West Palm Beach, Florida.)