Support Dawn Valadez's Urgent Shoulder Surgery

As Dawn's friends, we are reaching out to you for help. If you're receiving this, you're likely one of her many colleagues, fellow filmmakers and/or loved ones. You have probably received the compassion, wisdom, love and friendship that she so generously gives out. You may or may not know that she is a documentary filmmaker, youth program director, director of artist development at BAVC Media, board member, mama, tia/ auntie, activist, and artist. In August, Dawn tore her rotator cuff in her right shoulder and needs immediate help to pay for her surgery and recovery.

Dawn tore it on her way to Mexico for a film shoot on her new project with Rodrigo Reyes. Since August 2024 she has been in a lot of pain, added to the injury while chasing her dog Chuy in the Sacramento River, and finally agreed to an MRI. The MRI indeed showed a complete tear, a nearly complete tear, and interstitial tears across her rotator cuff (look this body part up - fascinating - go strengthen your muscles around it so you don't injure it too!).

Her orthopedic surgeon has recommended surgery. The surgery is on Wednesday, December 11, 2024. Arthroscopic shoulder surgery is a minimally invasive procedure that can repair a torn rotator cuff. It is an outpatient procedure and Dawn should be out of the hospital that evening. The recovery however will take up to 6 months. The first few days are critical and Dawn's son Rigo, nephew Teo, and dear friends will be around during those first few days. The first 3 weeks she can not use her right arm at all. You all know how difficult this will be for Dawn as she is always on her computer, writing, telling stories, sending messages, looking at her phone, responding to texts, walking her dog, swimming, and in general living, working, loving. She and her family and friends will need some help.

The surgery will cost between $3000-6000.

She will lose work and be on disability.

She needs help from caregivers who may need to miss work.

She will need a bidet...we won't go into that but just know that her right arm is her dominant arm and hand.

She will need meals. Anti-inflammation meals.

She will need light housekeeping.

She will need laundry washed and folded.

She will need Chuy walked and cared for.

She will need company (after week one) and good movie and series suggestions (nothing too gory).

Who the fuck knows what else she will need...she has never done this before.

Her dear friends Crescent and Chaos have agreed to set up the Happy Meal Train and the GoFundMe accounts - sign up as you can. If you don't like these platforms or apps just contact Crescent and Chaos and they can take your donations and schedule with you directly. Share with folks who know Dawn, send her messages, and let her know you care. She loves flowers but food and dog care for Chuy are more important.

She wants to heal as soon as possible because she has two film shoots in Mexico in 2025 and she's turning 60 and wants to celebrate with all of you.

Any help you can give is gratefully received.