Support Elaine’s Journey Through Lymphoma

Hi, my name is Hannah, and I’m so lucky to call Elaine Smitholas my friend. She is one of the most warm-hearted, resilient, and creative people I know. I’ve been asked by Elaine to help during this overwhelming time by creating and managing this GoFundMe on her behalf, so she can focus on what matters most- her health, her family, and her healing.

Elaine was recently diagnosed with Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma, an aggressive form of cancer. At this time, doctors are still determining the full scope of her diagnosis, but she has already begun the early steps in what will be a long and challenging journey.

Elaine is a deeply talented tattoo artist who pours her entire heart into everything she creates. Her work is more than a career to her; it’s a source of identity, healing, and joy. She hopes to continue working as much as possible throughout treatment because of the sense of normalcy it brings her. However, being a tattoo artist means there’s no paid time off, and all income is commission-based- something that becomes incredibly difficult when facing extensive medical treatment.

She’s also a devoted wife to her husband, Wilson, and the proud mom of Otis, their joyful one-and-a-half-year-old. Just before her diagnosis, she and Wilson had started trying for their second child, and Elaine had also accepted an invitation to join her dream tattoo studio- a milestone she’d worked toward for many years.

Now, their family is navigating an entirely new reality.

So many people have reached out to Elaine asking how they can help- and this is it.

This GoFundMe will directly support:

• Medical and treatment expenses

• Lost income due to limited ability to work during treatment

• Nutritional needs tied to her medical care

• Childcare and household support for Otis during appointments and recovery

Whether you can donate or share, every bit of support means the world to Elaine and her family right now. Thank you for helping us lift some of the weight she’s carrying and for being a part of the village in this fight.

If you are able to donate, please know how deeply appreciated it is. And if you’re not in a place to give, sharing this page helps more than you know.

Thank you for standing beside Elaine and her family. Your support means everything.

With gratitude,

Hannah (on behalf of Team Elaine)