I started my one of a kind clothing business during the financial crisis of 2008, after divorce and relocating back to California with my two kids. My background is in painting and printmaking, and I have a B.F.A. degree from the University of Michigan School of Art. I returned to California because I still had an art program at the Sacramento juvenile hall, which I had for about seven years there before they cut all arts funding--which they informed me of at the last minute, two weeks after moving back. I was totally unprepared.

A friend suggested applying to the Marin farmer's markets as an artisan vendor. I had previously taught myself dyeing techniques, and had a few successful shows in NYC. So I applied and was accepted. That was about eighteen years ago, and it literally saved our lives. Since then, I have sold at MOMA, deYoung Museum, American Craft Council, Renegade in S.F., L.A., and Chicago, Urban Craft Uprising in Seattle, and others, including my local markets in Oakland, Berkeley, and Palo Alto which have been my bread and butter. My business has meant everything to me.

But in August of 2023, I was diagnosed with a rare cancer, mucosal melanoma, which is now metastatic and stage four. I just found out that an MRI brain scan also showed five spots with suspicion of smaller ones that don't show up on CT or MRI. This all happened while in a clinical trial at UCSF where I was told that I was having a good response.

Tomorrow I'm scheduled for my first whole brain radiation at Oakland Kaiser. I'm scheduled for ten. Not sure what happens after that. I'm on a pretty powerful steroid at the moment, so it's been hard to sleep and easy to cry.

Needless to say, I haven't been able to work since 2023 when I started immunotherapy that had me in bed for four months, then in the hospital. After that were various other treatments with additional side effects that eventually put me in a wheelchair. I also discovered that it had spread to my groin and bladder. I ended up needing bladder surgery. Since then it has spread to my breasts, lungs, and brain.

I do have a website, but of course haven't had the purchases I normally do because there has been nothing new in so long. I'm living on minimal social security and have bills and now credit card debt. My daughter has moved back with me and has been my sole caretaker. She may soon be without income because I often need someone here with me, and that need will only increase as my oncologist is recommending Til therapy at Stanford which is extremely harsh and lengthy to recover from.

I started my business in personal and global crisis, but this is unprecedented. I desperately need help. Thank you for this generous opportunity and for your consideration.