From Cynthia Davis at the NAIA (National Assn. of Independent Artists):
It has come to my attention that one of our long-time members, Anna Millea, has been diagnosed with a re-occurence of breast cancer which has metastasized to her bones. Currently Anna is undergoing 18 cycles of chemotherapy and has just completed her second round of radiation. She is also taking pain medication that costs in excess of $600 per month, and which will need to be increased significantly over time. Anna is uninsurable due to her previous diagnosis of breast cancer and has been unable to qualify for other types of financial assistance.
One of our members, Deb LeAir, along with several other artists are trying to pull together in an effort to help Anna defray her medication expenses. They are asking artists to help with this by any of the following things:
* Dedicate a piece of your art in your booth to Anna. When the piece sells, send a check payable to Anna Millea, to Steff Korsage, Chris Dahlquist or Deb LeAir who will then forward it to Anna.
* Make a direct donation to Steff, Chris or Deb, payable to Anna Millea.
* Make a small monthly donation. $10 or $20 per month doesn't sound like a lot, but if enough of us commit to that, we could cover or nearly cover the cost of the pain medications on an ongoing basis.
If you have questions, please contact:
Deb LeAir
1047 Earl Street
Saint Paul, MN 55106
651.793.3426
debleair@yahoo.com
Steff Korsage
7101 N. Glenwood Ave.
Chicago, IL 60626
773.465.3456
steffik@mindspring.com
Chris Dalquist
519 Gillis
Kansas City, MO 64106
815.516.5981
chris@chrisdahlquist.com
Perhaps you have met Anna at a show. Here is her website to refresh your memory: http://www.milleafurnishings.com/index.html
It's shameful that a country as wealthy as the US has such a poor health care system. Once you get something wrong with you the insurance company cuts you out. 25% of the cost of healthcare goes to paper pushing. According to research if the insurance companies were cut out the US could afford a national healthcare system. Then people would get preventative healthcare and the emergency care units wouldn't be full of people with conditions that have got worse due to lack of basic care. After living in several different countries and experiencing their healthcare services I think it's a dreadful system here. It is fine if you are fairly wealthy, working and don't have any pre existing condition but once things take a turn for the worse it's awful.
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