HelpJillianPena

Browsing through Time Out New York this evening, I came across something that made me stop and give thanks for all of the many blessings that I have. I was very moved and it made me sit and reflect for a bit. Here's why:

On August 11, Jillian Peña, a filmmaker, dancer and Hollins University graduate, was struck by a car as she crossed a Brooklyn street. Following emergency surgery at Bellevue Hospital, Peña, 28, has regained consciousness and is currently undergoing intensive rehabilitation at the same hospital.

Her parents traveled from New Mexico to be with her, but like many artists, Peña is uninsured and hospital bills are mounting. She is improving gradually, though the gravity of her accident cannot be underscored enough.

An artist of profound promise—she is a doctoral candidate in performance studies at Goldsmiths in London and presented the gorgeous MOTHERSHIP at Dance Theater Workshop last spring—Peña is in need of financial support.

You can follow her recovery progress at friendsofjillian.blogspot.com and donate funds to cover her medical costs via PayPal through donations4jillian@gmail.com.

— Gia Kourlas