Janavi Needs Our Help
Donation protected
Before you donate, please read my latest update so you understand the current situation.
A graduate of Goddard College where she studied poetry, photography and media, Janavi Held (Sri Jahnavi dd) was an up-and-coming writer and professional photographer when she fell ill at the age of forty-six. Despite chronic illness, Janavi has taken shelter of Bhakti yoga and her practice of Krishna consciousness. Having first met devotees at the age of nineteen, she trained at the ISKCON Denver ashram and dedicated her life to the sankirtana mission.
For the past six years, Janavi has been ravaged by Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, Abdominal Adhesions, and Cachexia (wasting), a condition of perpetual pain and progressive weakness that is largely unresponsive to treatment. Due to the growing intensity of her illness, she is now bedridden and completely debilitated. More recently, she has been deprived of moving her hands—a crushing blow for an artist of her caliber.
Janavi has endured her circumstances gracefully.
As demonstrated throughout her decades of service, Janavi's faith, dedication, and determination enabled her to push through her pain and continue to write. In 2017, she published a book of devotional poetry and photography entitled Letters to My Oldest Friend. This book has been heralded as a gem of devotional literature.
Janavi was also a contributing author in the recently published anthology, Bhakti Blossoms: A Collection of Contemporary Vaishnavi Poetry. Last year, two of her poems were shortlisted for the prestigious Hamilton House International Poetry Prize.
Janavi needs our help.
Having taken Janavi into her home three years ago, Janavi's devoted sister, Sue, is struggling to maintain Janavi's needs. A homecare provider attends to Janavi during the day, but she now requires 24-hour care. Tragically, Janavi's health insurance does not cover homecare. In addition to medication costs and hospital fees, Janavi is drowning under a swelling ocean of uncovered medical expenses.
Janavi is alone (no children, no spouse, no living parents). Thus, a group of Janavi's friends have come together to organize a fundraising campaign, with the hopes of mitigating the pressure of Janavi's financial burden. If your circumstances permit, please donate to her fund. We thank you for your kindness. Hare Krishna.
Janavi is praised by the devotees.
"Like many God-inspired poets of India’s Bhakti or devotional past (Mirabai and Chandidas come easily to mind), Janavi Held—writer, photographer, cineaste, observer of small miracles—chronicles the arrhythmia of a heart in love with Divinity. Letters to My Oldest Friend is a revelation. In elegant, spare verse and contemplative visual imagery, she gently cautions that we are victims of speeding postmodernism at risk of losing of souls, and that we will find the tools of our salvation in the quiet, unassuming details of everyday life. Here is a much needed roadmap to our inner geography, chartered by a gifted voice of conscience and our own better selves. Read, look, savor, and be inspired." -Yogesvara das (ACBSP)
"Sri Jahnavi has poured her heart out in her writings and has contributed much to the world of devotional literature for everyone's benefit. Hopefully all who now know about her can contribute for her benefit and help a sincere devotee." -Nidra dasi (ACBSP)
"Jahnavi is a super-sincere Vaisnavi. It is so sad to see her suffer in this way. Anyone who has met her or has read her poetry will instantly be impressed by her abilities and her devotion. I'm hoping there is a way we can come together to help her in her time of need." -Vraja Vihari das
"The hearts of Vaishnavas are so compassionate that upon hearing of others in pain (especially a godsister) we naturally feel moved to do anything we can to help. Thank you for extending your heart to Jahnavi. She is, undoubtedly, a most beautiful person." -Krishna Kanta dasi
A graduate of Goddard College where she studied poetry, photography and media, Janavi Held (Sri Jahnavi dd) was an up-and-coming writer and professional photographer when she fell ill at the age of forty-six. Despite chronic illness, Janavi has taken shelter of Bhakti yoga and her practice of Krishna consciousness. Having first met devotees at the age of nineteen, she trained at the ISKCON Denver ashram and dedicated her life to the sankirtana mission.
For the past six years, Janavi has been ravaged by Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, Abdominal Adhesions, and Cachexia (wasting), a condition of perpetual pain and progressive weakness that is largely unresponsive to treatment. Due to the growing intensity of her illness, she is now bedridden and completely debilitated. More recently, she has been deprived of moving her hands—a crushing blow for an artist of her caliber.
Janavi has endured her circumstances gracefully.
As demonstrated throughout her decades of service, Janavi's faith, dedication, and determination enabled her to push through her pain and continue to write. In 2017, she published a book of devotional poetry and photography entitled Letters to My Oldest Friend. This book has been heralded as a gem of devotional literature.
Janavi was also a contributing author in the recently published anthology, Bhakti Blossoms: A Collection of Contemporary Vaishnavi Poetry. Last year, two of her poems were shortlisted for the prestigious Hamilton House International Poetry Prize.
Janavi needs our help.
Having taken Janavi into her home three years ago, Janavi's devoted sister, Sue, is struggling to maintain Janavi's needs. A homecare provider attends to Janavi during the day, but she now requires 24-hour care. Tragically, Janavi's health insurance does not cover homecare. In addition to medication costs and hospital fees, Janavi is drowning under a swelling ocean of uncovered medical expenses.
Janavi is alone (no children, no spouse, no living parents). Thus, a group of Janavi's friends have come together to organize a fundraising campaign, with the hopes of mitigating the pressure of Janavi's financial burden. If your circumstances permit, please donate to her fund. We thank you for your kindness. Hare Krishna.
Janavi is praised by the devotees.
"Like many God-inspired poets of India’s Bhakti or devotional past (Mirabai and Chandidas come easily to mind), Janavi Held—writer, photographer, cineaste, observer of small miracles—chronicles the arrhythmia of a heart in love with Divinity. Letters to My Oldest Friend is a revelation. In elegant, spare verse and contemplative visual imagery, she gently cautions that we are victims of speeding postmodernism at risk of losing of souls, and that we will find the tools of our salvation in the quiet, unassuming details of everyday life. Here is a much needed roadmap to our inner geography, chartered by a gifted voice of conscience and our own better selves. Read, look, savor, and be inspired." -Yogesvara das (ACBSP)
"Sri Jahnavi has poured her heart out in her writings and has contributed much to the world of devotional literature for everyone's benefit. Hopefully all who now know about her can contribute for her benefit and help a sincere devotee." -Nidra dasi (ACBSP)
"Jahnavi is a super-sincere Vaisnavi. It is so sad to see her suffer in this way. Anyone who has met her or has read her poetry will instantly be impressed by her abilities and her devotion. I'm hoping there is a way we can come together to help her in her time of need." -Vraja Vihari das
"The hearts of Vaishnavas are so compassionate that upon hearing of others in pain (especially a godsister) we naturally feel moved to do anything we can to help. Thank you for extending your heart to Jahnavi. She is, undoubtedly, a most beautiful person." -Krishna Kanta dasi
Fundraising team: Team Janavi (3)
Sue Held
Organizer
Boulder, CO
Alysia J. Radder
Team member
Erica Heller
Team member
