Off-Topic: Help Hollis Hawthorne!

Hollis Hawthorne, originally uploaded by Theremina

Over the past few weeks, there’s been some major action in my off-screen life, which I haven’t mentioned here but which now seems totally relevant: my friend (and fellow DPW) Hollis Hawthorne was in a horrible motorcycle accident in India, receiving severe injuries that put her into a coma. Her boyfriend Harrison saved her life, performing CPR for over 20 minutes before anyone stopped to help them. More information on the details of the accident is available at the Friends of Hollis and Help Holli Get Home blogs, as well as at T. Sabesan’s Scribd (he was at the scene and played a big part in getting her to the hospital).

Hollis is universally adored in our little circle of artists, burners, and weirdos— but the outpouring of love and financial support when she was hurt kinda shocked us all. Maybe because she represents, in many ways, the best of who we are: alternative but healthy, positive but realistic, intelligent but down-to-earth—maybe because she’s so, so beautiful and talented—maybe because she’s got a heart of gold and really deserved a good break instead of another bad one—or maybe just because she was a starving artist on vacation without insurance—there isn’t a single person who knows her that hasn’t been affected.

The reaction within the DPW was the most staggering, to me. This group of surly, dirty punks suddenly organized a mass meditation session, traded recommendations for healing chants and visualizations and what color of candle to burn. Then we followed up by helping to organize fundraisers, contacting every last one of our personal connections, and getting Hollis’ face into the news throughout the U.S. and India.

Meanwhile, Hollis’ (Holli’s) blood family have been doing their own praying, organizing and fundraising. Her stepdad and sister have been on the news in Tennessee, and her family posts daily updates from Hollis’ mom.

The results of the crusade have been incredible. Within days, we (and now I’m speaking of Hollis’ family and extended “family”) raised tens of thousands of dollars. Then someone (Hollis’ mom Diane?) miraculously got her accepted to receive charity care at Stanford University, and the question became: how can we get her home?

A giant brainstorming session ensued, but the only real solution was: MONEY. A medical flight, with attendants, from India to California, is no mean feat. A goal was set: $200,000 to get Hollis home and help fund her recovery.

And the fundraisers just kept rolling on: San Francisco, Oakland, Portland, Austin, NYC, Gerlach, Ottowa, even Etsy. As of yesterday, we’d raised $95,236. That’s almost half the necessary amount, in only three weeks.

This is a huge deal, to me. Hollis’ friends have no more money than she does, but what we do have is more important: we are organized, and dedicated, and people will pay to have us entertain them. Just look at these event photos! Selling everything from music to burlesque to fashion to kisses, prostrating ourselves for donations, we managed to charm the wallets out of a recession-beleaguered society’s pants. And Hollis is home now, safe back in California where the Stanford Hospital can get a look at her.

Kelsey, originally uploaded by mr. nightshade

However. There’s a long road ahead. Hollis is breathing on her own, moving her arm, making some facial expressions— but we don’t know for sure what her real status is, and it’s anyone’s guess what her recovery will entail. So, we’ve got to keep raising money to support her family and Harrison.

This is the part where I ask you for a donation. Money is best, prayers help too. If you can’t give today, consider spending your next night out at one of the many regional fundraisers (they’re fun). Just, please do what you can to keep this movement rolling forward.

Hollis, baby, all you gotta do now is wake up.

Hollis, originally uploaded by wetribe