Help Support Leslie Mah

After nearly a year of being very sick and misdiagnosed, Leslie has just found out that the cancer is back. This is the fourth time she has been diagnosed with this cancer, and the second time it has been considered metastatic.

Leslie started feeling sick last October and, after being unable to eat for a long period of time, is now severely malnourished. She’ll be getting a port next week, with chemotherapy starting soon after.

Right now, Leslie needs help with the very basics so she can put her energy toward treatment and taking care of herself. She has been unable to work because of how sick she has been, and with treatment ahead she is unable to return to tattooing at this time. Our hope is that we can raise enough to help support her not just through the next few months, but for the next few years.

We’re raising money to relieve some of that financial pressure and give her one less thing to worry about. Every donation will go toward supporting Leslie and her day-to-day needs during treatment.

Leslie’s oncologist, Dr. Chan, is an optimist. While statistically the prognosis is closer to a year, he believes he may be able to give her another couple of years. We want to do everything we can to help make that happen by surrounding Leslie with as much love, care, and financial support as possible.

Leslie is a dear friend and colleague who means so much to so many of us. She has been a pillar of our queer community for decades—as a musician, tattoo artist, political activist, painter, lion dancer and friend—and has helped pave the way for so many people.

Now it’s our turn to show up for her.

Our goal is to raise $100,000 to give Leslie real financial breathing room and help cover her basic living expenses while she goes through treatment. We hope this support will allow her to spend whatever time she has ahead focused on her health, the people she loves, and living her life not worrying about how she’s going to pay her bills.

Every donation matters, no matter the amount. And if you can’t donate, sharing this fundraiser helps too.

Thank you for helping us take care of Leslie.