On December 8th, 2018 our friend Kirk Stoller underwent emergency surgery to remove a lesion from his brain. Prior to this, Kirk had not felt quite right for weeks, feeling unsteady and unwell, but assumed it was a seasonal virus or exhaustion due to recent travel to care for an ill family member.

After it became clear that his condition required immediate medical attention, Kirk was admitted to North Shore University Hospital on Long Island, NY, where he was quickly scheduled for brain surgery to remove a lesion that was impairing his brain function.

The surgery was a success, with the doctors feeling positive about Kirk’s long-term prospects for a complete recovery. However, Kirk is now facing a lengthy recuperation period during which he will require extensive physical and occupational therapy. Though this has been an intense, frightening and debilitating experience for Kirk, he has remained true to his character and has already spoken from his hospital bed of its amplification of his appreciation for life and loved ones, and the potential positive impacts on his art practice.

 Kirk is determined to overcome this challenging circumstance, and is already working with his therapists and looking forward to regaining his independence. 

But the truth is that this will be a long process that will happen over months rather than weeks, and Kirk could use a bit of help right now. He faces mounting out-of-network medical fees, and the difficult logistics of continuing his long-term therapy after he is released from inpatient care.

Recently relocated to New York, Kirk is thousands of miles from family members and many of the close friends in his support network. Most of us feel the urge to rush to be by the side of a loved one when they experience difficult times like these, but the realities of life and commitments at home often prevent us from being able to do that.

Right now, our donations can provide comforting and meaningful support, care, and compassion, and show Kirk that he isn’t going through this alone—that he’s in our hearts and that he’ll have the help he needs to get his life back. Donations can be made to this gofundme.com campaign or directly to Kirk Stoller, 735 Greene Ave #2B, Brooklyn, NY, 11221.

Thank you for your generosity—every contribution, large or small, will make a difference.