Medical Expenses of Travis Ray Dent
Donation protected
This funding campaign is centered around a wonderful man, musician, and member of the Tucson community named Travis Ray Dent, Travi Ray to us. Due to a medical emergency including a night in the ER, extensive scans and tests, and further inpatient and outpatient care, he needs all the emotional and financial support and compassion we can muster.
For all who know Travis, he is a dear friend, the sort you would do anything for. Travis is a radiant person. He has worked through and risen up from many of the most difficult challenges any one could imagine facing. He overflows with kindness, energy, love, and an excitement to create art and add a depth of richness to our musical community. He plays piano like none other, cascades of effortless melody flowing through his hands. The calm, peace, and joy he exudes while behind the keys is undeniable to anyone lucky enough to see him play.
Given the compassion of the Tucson community, it comes as no surprise that when hard times fall upon a local musician, Tucson represents. Travis has recently been faced with such times. As a result of a head injury and the concussion it caused, he spent a night in the ER at UMC. Tucson musician Rey Murphy and the entirety of the Street Blues Family (a band which Travis is a member of) came together to be his advocates, staying by his side 24/7 and making sure the hospital conducted all scans and tests necessary. In a country with a healthcare system as difficult to navigate and afford as ours, many without such advocacy and support can fall through the cracks, causing the spiral of debt and hardship we all know too well.
Thankfully, the tests and scans showed that no permanent physical brain damage was caused by the head injury. But Travis' mental and emotional state has been compromised to the point that further medical and psychiatric care was necessary, culminating in current inpatient treatment with the hope of ensuring his full recovery. Unfortunately, Travis does not currently have medical insurance. We have enrolled him in Obamacare, but the insurance plan will not become effective until February 1st. This means that none of the exorbitant medical costs incurred until that date will be covered.
So, as his family and friends, we took action, and Tucson followed. Within a day of Travis' hospital visit, Tucson musicians, artists, and community members started organizing a large-scale benefit concert and funding campaign to help cover Travis' immediate and eventual medical expenses. For all those in the Tucson area, information on this benefit concert and all the wonderful people who have been gracious enough to donate their time, art, and help can be found on the Facebook event page here:
https://www.facebook.com/events/579025668952584/
As well as this video:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=uHf-W2RlJyQ
In addition, we are collecting collectible autographed vinyl, art, and anything else of worth from local and national artists to sell and auction for more fundraising, including a beautiful guitar adorned with local art and signed by the likes of Joey Burns of Calexico, Howe Gelb and Giant Sand, Sergio Mendoza and Orkesta Mendoza, Travis and the Street Blues crew, and many more. Whatever we have left after the benefit will be available at different reward levels through this GoFundMe campaign or international auction. More info on that will be available shortly.
We hope to raise as much money from these sources as possible, but as Travis' medical bills are sure to be exorbitant due to the extensive tests, scans, and further care necessary, much more aid will be needed in the long run. We are currently applying for grants and funding from local and national musicians and artists healthcare relief organizations and alliances to augment what we raise from the benefit. But in order to engage and involve the wider community of friends, family, and kind souls around the world, we have started this GoFundMe campaign. Beyond the percentage of donations taken out by GoFundMe, all funds raised will go directly to Travis' expenses.
Please consider donating as much as you can manage to help out our dear friend and integral community member in his time of need. Every little bit helps. We have started the campaign to raise $10,000 to cover initial medical costs, yet more will eventually be needed. And we will keep up the good work of getting him provided for until he is healthy and back to a life of music, community, and love.
Thank you from all of Travis' friends and family.
For all who know Travis, he is a dear friend, the sort you would do anything for. Travis is a radiant person. He has worked through and risen up from many of the most difficult challenges any one could imagine facing. He overflows with kindness, energy, love, and an excitement to create art and add a depth of richness to our musical community. He plays piano like none other, cascades of effortless melody flowing through his hands. The calm, peace, and joy he exudes while behind the keys is undeniable to anyone lucky enough to see him play.
Given the compassion of the Tucson community, it comes as no surprise that when hard times fall upon a local musician, Tucson represents. Travis has recently been faced with such times. As a result of a head injury and the concussion it caused, he spent a night in the ER at UMC. Tucson musician Rey Murphy and the entirety of the Street Blues Family (a band which Travis is a member of) came together to be his advocates, staying by his side 24/7 and making sure the hospital conducted all scans and tests necessary. In a country with a healthcare system as difficult to navigate and afford as ours, many without such advocacy and support can fall through the cracks, causing the spiral of debt and hardship we all know too well.
Thankfully, the tests and scans showed that no permanent physical brain damage was caused by the head injury. But Travis' mental and emotional state has been compromised to the point that further medical and psychiatric care was necessary, culminating in current inpatient treatment with the hope of ensuring his full recovery. Unfortunately, Travis does not currently have medical insurance. We have enrolled him in Obamacare, but the insurance plan will not become effective until February 1st. This means that none of the exorbitant medical costs incurred until that date will be covered.
So, as his family and friends, we took action, and Tucson followed. Within a day of Travis' hospital visit, Tucson musicians, artists, and community members started organizing a large-scale benefit concert and funding campaign to help cover Travis' immediate and eventual medical expenses. For all those in the Tucson area, information on this benefit concert and all the wonderful people who have been gracious enough to donate their time, art, and help can be found on the Facebook event page here:
https://www.facebook.com/events/579025668952584/
As well as this video:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=uHf-W2RlJyQ
In addition, we are collecting collectible autographed vinyl, art, and anything else of worth from local and national artists to sell and auction for more fundraising, including a beautiful guitar adorned with local art and signed by the likes of Joey Burns of Calexico, Howe Gelb and Giant Sand, Sergio Mendoza and Orkesta Mendoza, Travis and the Street Blues crew, and many more. Whatever we have left after the benefit will be available at different reward levels through this GoFundMe campaign or international auction. More info on that will be available shortly.
We hope to raise as much money from these sources as possible, but as Travis' medical bills are sure to be exorbitant due to the extensive tests, scans, and further care necessary, much more aid will be needed in the long run. We are currently applying for grants and funding from local and national musicians and artists healthcare relief organizations and alliances to augment what we raise from the benefit. But in order to engage and involve the wider community of friends, family, and kind souls around the world, we have started this GoFundMe campaign. Beyond the percentage of donations taken out by GoFundMe, all funds raised will go directly to Travis' expenses.
Please consider donating as much as you can manage to help out our dear friend and integral community member in his time of need. Every little bit helps. We have started the campaign to raise $10,000 to cover initial medical costs, yet more will eventually be needed. And we will keep up the good work of getting him provided for until he is healthy and back to a life of music, community, and love.
Thank you from all of Travis' friends and family.
Organizer and beneficiary
Joe Novelli
Organizer
Tucson, AZ
Travis Dent
Beneficiary
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