Dear Family and Friends,

Update on 5/19/2023:

*** Kikanza received some very good news two days ago that her CT scan from last week showed substantial shrinkage of her largest tumor. That is the best news we could have hoped for and it bodes very well for her continued healing over the upcoming months. ***

We are appealing to you to help our dear Kikanza who, we were shocked to learn late last year, has been diagnosed with an aggressive stage 4 cancer.

The tumor was determined to be inoperable due to the spread of the cancer to her lungs and other organs. Consequently, she suffers a great deal of daily pain due to the large tumor they could not remove. She is literally fighting for her life. She is very weak, has lost 50 lbs.

The positive is that Kikanza is currently undergoing a cutting-edge immunotherapy cancer treatment led by an amazing team of U.S. and Mexican biologists, oncologists, and nurses in Cancun, Mexico at Immunocine Cancer Center. However, the 3-month treatment is very expensive and not covered by insurance. After extensive research, vetting, and many expert second opinions, we believe this is the most promising treatment regime available for Kikanza's cancer. The program was very hard to get into, only 10% are admitted, and it costs $85,000 plus living and transportation costs and additional medical procedures for more than $100,000 and counting. Her additional treatments at the Cancer Center for Healing in Irvine, California have exceeded $50,000.

We are reaching out to family, friends, and community members to help us raise those funds and we have extended the fundraiser by two weeks to June 2.

We will not know for a few more months whether the treatment will turn the corner for her. We are very hopeful. Early signs indicate that her immune system has been successfully activated to fight the cancer.

Among her family and friends, Kikanza is known as one of the most disciplined people any of us know of regarding health, diet, and finding the joy and passion in life. But we've learned, as so many have, that cancer is a very tricky adversary.

Within the Pasadena and Altadena communities, Kikanza is known as a much loved and remarkable teacher of hundreds of children, and as an inspiring teacher of teachers and countless parents over the 15 years she has tirelessly worked as founder, director, and lead teacher of Village Playgarden.

In the wider Los Angeles community, Kikanza is also well known as one of the lead community organizers at the Labor/Community Strategy Center and Bus Riders Union for more than ten years. She led many successful campaigns for civil rights, environmental justice, and holding corporations, the police, and politicians accountable to the people. She taught and inspired many young organizers, especially women of color, who in their turn led powerful movements including Black Lives Matter.

We ask you to show your love, respect, and gratitude to Kikanza as she faces her hour of greatest need.

Please share a note with your donation and tell us how Kikanza has touched your life.

Kikanza is a private person, so we ask that you do not reach out to her directly while she is still in the middle of her healing journey. Any private notes and well-wishes can be sent to her husband, Geoff, at [email protected].

All your prayers, healing energy, and love for our Kikanza can of course be sent directly and immediately to her through your personal spiritual and light channels! Let's all visualize a healthy and whole Kikanza returning to us for many more decades to come.

Thank you all. Our love and gratitude goes out to you all!

Some of our amazing medical team. Kikanza's oncologist Dr. Ferberye