In eight days, friends and family raised over $17,000 to help a 57-year-old American who is living in Merida and struggling for his life.
That’s not quite halfway to the goal, however. So Kevin Nicholson’s friends are holding a fundraiser (more details here) on Thursday at Galeria La Eskalera. Several local, noted artists have donated works for sale to raise additional funds. Two of them, Viviana Hinojosa and Manolo Taure, are hosting the event, where 100 percent of the proceeds will go toward urgent heart surgery.
The effort began more than a week ago with a simple plea online.
“Kevin was rushed to the Clinica de Merida with a heart attack,” reads his GoFundMe page. “He needs triple bypass surgery right away. In Mexico, the hospital demands that all costs be paid upfront — there is no insurance or payment plan. Unless we can pay the surgeon, they will not operate and we fear Kevin will die. The $35,000 is due when he leaves the hospital.
Any amount will help, and if you can’t donate, please share this to all
your friends.”
Kevin’s wife, Cynthia, expressed her gratitude on the fundraising page.
“Words cannot express how grateful Kevin and I are for all of your contributions. We are truly overwhelmed by everyone’s generosity and so very thankful that there are so many amazing, beautiful people that are helping us in our time of need,” she said. “We will be thanking everyone individually as soon as we can. It may take a month or more, but please know you will all be in our thoughts through this rollercoaster ride and cannot wait until it is behind us and Kevin is healthy again.”
Kevin’s Heart Fund Raising Art Sale starts 7 p.m. Thursday at La Eskalera, Calle 70 474B, near Calle 57. All proceeds from the wine reception and art sale go toward Nicholson’s surgery.
