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Dear Friends, Family, Poets, Lovers of Life and Words,
Two months ago, our dear friend and beloved author Tara Hardy went to the emergency room. She was extremely fatigued and red spots were appearing on her legs and face. When doctors told her the platelets in her blood were low, so low it was a miracle she had not suffered a sudden brain hemorrhage, she found herself with a sudden life threatening condition. Being both stubborn and proud, Tara only told close friends and struggled to pay for mounting medical bills on a poet’s salary.
Tara is still without an actual diagnosis (auto-immune issues can take years to properly diagnose) but she is in a dire medical struggle, and her entire savings is gone.
We have put together this donation page to help alleviate the financial burden Tara will inevitably face. Tara’s work as a poet, queer activist, and teacher has strengthened so many hearts across this country and we want more than anything to pay it forward. No contribution is too small. We need to raise $10,000 to provide Tara with one year of medical care. Our overall goal is to fundraise as much as we can to help Tara sustain good medical care.
Tara’s local community in Seattle is also organizing a benefit on February 23 at the Fremont Abbey called BOOST: Poetry to Uplift Your Spirits. Please consider donating a book of your poems or artwork to be sold at the Seattle BOOST show on February 23rd. Email BOOSTSeattle@gmail.com for more information or to get our mailing address.
If you know Tara, you know she is a fighter; having her community behind her will be a massive help. She cannot do this alone. Donate what you can, spread this message and leave some love in the comments for our fierce friend, Tara! We thank you in advance for your contributions and support.
“...show them your heart is a school of fish / a solar system of all moons.”
Sincerely,
Kristina Armenakis
Daemond Arrindell
Patch Avery
Ela Barton
Greg Bee
Sara Brickman
Debbie Carlsen
Elaina Ellis
Karen Finneyfrock
Andrea Gibson
Maya Hersh
Marc Mazique
Rachel McKibbens
Kathleen Nacozy
Sonya Renee
Casey Tonnelly
Questions & Answers
Q: What exactly is going on medically with Tara?
A: The initial symptom that sent Tara to the clinic was red spots all over her legs, feet, back, and face, which she later learned were called petechiae. While drawing her blood in order to test her platelet levels, the technician asked Tara to make a fist and a blood vessel burst in her hand, causing an instant bright bruise. After reading the results and repeating the test 3 times (because he couldn't believe what he saw) the doctor told Tara to get immediately to an emergency room, because she was at risk for her brain spontaneously bleeding, which would have killed her. (Normal platelets are 150-450. Tara had 1 platelet. Yes, 1.) On the way to the hospital, bruises began appearing on her legs and arms as well.
Once at the hospital, Tara was given a transfusion of platelets and the beginning of a round of oral steroids designed to suppress immune response, because by then it had become clear that her immune system was mistaking healthy platelets for intruders. After a couple of days, Tara's platelets rose enough to send her home. Since that time, she's been monitored pretty closely, her platelets rising and falling. She's been in emergency care two additional times for low platelets, and tested for a number of major diseases. It doesn't look like she has leukemia or any other bone marrow cancer, and her HIV and hepatitis tests are negative.
There is a disease called ITP (Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura), which basically means "your platelets are disappearing and we don't know why," and that is Tara's current diagnosis. However, since that time a number of other symptoms have appeared, indicating a possible underlying problem. One of her other symptoms involves the presence of something called ANA in her blood, which is an indicator of a possible immune disorder. Combined with her other symptoms, the ANA test has led her doctor to believe she may have a hyperimmune disorder, meaning that her immune system is overactive and is attacking her healthy tissue. Depending on diagnosis, these things range from manageable to, well, lethal. Which is where things stand today: still a bit blurry, but coming into focus. Which is why Tara needs health care, to zero in on diagnosis and treatment.
Q: Why naturoapathy? Isn't Western medicine good enough?
A: According to the specialists who Tara has consulted so far (both Western & natural), naturopathy stands the best chance of addressing the underlying immune issue by treating a body as a whole system. By aligning everything wonky in the system, Tara stands the best chance of experiencing remission or even full recovery. In addition, Tara has been told there are some ways that naturopathy is advanced beyond Western medicine when it comes to immune disorders.
Q: Where will the money go? How will the money be used?
A: One hundred percent of the money will be used to pay Tara's medical costs.
Q: How is Tara doing/feeling?
A: She has good days and days that are challenging. A good day equals teaching a class and/or performing poems (Yay!) On challenging days she's encouraged by having so many great people who are willing to contribute to her healing. Her gratitude is immense.
Q: What does Tara need?
A: Mostly she needs health care right now -- access to broader diagnostics and treatment. To that end, your donation means a lot. But hospitals are almost always low on platelets. If you're so inclined, you may donate some at your local hospital.
Q: Who will monitor the spending?
A: The total amount raised will be made public, and Tara will keep careful record, with receipts, of expenses. The record will be available to anyone who wishes to see it. Just contact BOOSTSeattle@gmail.com.
Q: Can I get a tax deduction for donating?
A: The BOOST committee is currently working on this. Please contact BOOSTSeattle@gmail.com to make arrangements.
Q: What is BOOST?
A: BOOST is a grassroots model that people can use to raise money for health care costs. Tara was inspired to create it after attending one of the regular queer events in Portland that benefits a different community member each time. She has long thought that Seattle needs just such a thing, but BOOST is not just for Seattle, you can use it anywhere! Just email BOOSTSeattle@gmail.com for a copy.
BOOST is also a show. The very first BOOST show will be on February 23rd at 7:30pm at the Fremont Abbey, 4272 Fremont Ave N. (See Facebook invite for details.) This BOOST will benefit Tara Hardy, and will be an evening filled with poetry guaranteed to uplift your spirits. That's right, an entire evening of uplifting poems! (What?! Whoever heard of such a thing?!)
Q: What is the best way to contact Tara?
A: Please leave a comment here on IndieGoGo. Even if Tara isn't able to respond to everyone, she'll be reading messages here. And your support makes a huge difference with her.
