My name is Marshall Smith. I've lived in Idyllwild for nearly 20 years as a writer, performer and community volunteer.

My friend (Mary) Kristy Frazier (previously Baker) has been an open-hearted and contributing member of Idyllwild's artistic and environmental community for nearly 50 years. She is an extraordinarily kind soul, caring and giving, a great friend to people and an angel to animals in need. But now she is in need.

Kristy has always worked for a living, but now she is facing a medical crisis and can't work. Last October she was diagnosed with cancer of the pleura (lining of the lungs) probably related to having an earlier bout of breast cancer. And against the odds she was given when diagnosed , she is improving and getting stronger. Part of that is her positive attitude and using visualization healing regimens, eating a healthy diet and increasing her daily exercise as she is able.

Unable to work, she is struggling to afford basic necessities.

Here is a bit of back story to highlight how much she has given to others.

Early on while living in Idyllwild, Kristy was an environmental crusader who fought to get the toxic herbicide 2,4-D (a component of Agent Orange) banned by the US Forest Service for use on the Hill four years before its ban by the federal government nationwide.

She and then husband George worked as house parents and educational counselors at Morning High School in Mountain Center.

They opened a gallery in the early 90's that quickly grew to three shops in Oakwood Village. "Eventually we had 80 artists," said Kristy,'"all art was on consignment and helped support local artists." It was a venture they maintained for 18 years as Idyllwild grew into an art gallery capital and became known as one of the top 100 arts towns in the United States. Kristy was a big part of putting Idyllwild on the map as an arts mecca.

She and George later lived in both San Miguel Allende in Mexico and in Portugal on the outskirts of Lisbon. She returned to Idyllwild in early 2015 with few resources other than a little dog named Chico, after George sought a divorce.

Kristy has always been a person of great kindness - intelligent and optimistic and always ready to help another. But her return to Idyllwild brought major challenges. While working as a housekeeper and property manager, trying to rebuild her Idyllwild life, she had a mammogram that revealed a cancerous growth. She underwent a radical mastectomy that immediately afterward appeared to have effected a positive result.

Complications came later in 2019 and 2020. In 2019 Kristy studied to become a health coach, with the goal of helping guide people toward better health habits and choices through diet and other life style changes. Unfortunately, almost immediately after receiving her credentials, Kristy ran into workplace roadblocks defined and restricted by COVID-19. Her particular coaching work required at least initial in person meetings. COVID made that impossible.

Then in late 2020, her energy levels lessened and she began to have trouble breathing. An ambulance ride down the mountain n October led to a diagnosis of cancer of the pleura. Fluid had begun to rapidly build up in the lining of the lungs causing acute breathing difficulty.

She was sent home with little hope.

Hospice nurses could come to drain her lungs of the fluid, but there was no apparent pathway to a cure. Once home from the hospital she depended on friends for meals and support and help with her adopted dog Mini. Using her own strength, knowledge of healthy dietary habits and using visualization healing exercises, Kristy has astounded her nurses and supervising doctors with fluid levels in her lungs dropping steadily. It became routine that nurses would drain less and less fluid with each visit. As a result, Kristy regained much of her confidence and ability to function, including walking Mini, cooking, and generally embracing life.

But with virtually no ability to work and having exhausted her savings, Kristy needs help. She has focused on healing her lungs and she has made remarkable progress.

Kristy has always helped others. Now, at this difficult time in a challenging economy, Kristy needs help to pay for rent, food, utilities, insurance and other expenses - so that she can focus on her healing journey.

Please help this great friend to others by being a great friend to her. Your help will make all the difference.