Cancer Fundraiser—February 2023

The auction is now LIVE! https://www.32auctions.com/thereisnostagefive

As you may know, I've been receiving treatment for stage 4 leiomyosarcoma--an incredibly rare type of cancer. In the US, it's a type and stage that's considered untreatable. I've been searching for a viable treatment path, and in August of last year, I found it with the help of my naturopath and an incredibly forward-thinking team of doctors and specialists in Mexico. I do have my own health insurance, but the types of treatments and therapies I've been receiving unfortunately aren't covered. All of my treatment has been out of pocket and is approaching a total of $100,000.

One of the many lessons learned from this experience is the vulnerability of our industry, as most professionals' income quickly plummets if they're unable to work due to illness or injury. While we know accidents are typically just that, and illness is unforeseeable, even the most responsible safety-net planning can go in a flash. I'd like to help change that for our dressage community in region 6.

This month, I'm gathering donations for an online fundraiser auction to help offset the medical expenses related to my cancer treatment. Donations in excess of our goal will seed the beginning of a newly forming non-profit, The Dressage Collective, to provide hardship grants to professional trainers and coaches in our region who are unable to work due to illness or injury. This fund will be a silver lining to my experience with cancer.

If you're able to donate to my fundraiser auction, please email me (emilynsorensen@gmail.com) with the following information:

Your name/business name:

Donation title:

Description of donated item: (If donating a lesson(s), please indicate if the lesson is in person, virtual live, or a video evaluation)

Value:

Quantity available (if multiple items donated of the same type):

Please include a minimum of 1 photo

Donations of lessons, experiences, or tangible items will be accepted for my fundraiser auction. If you'd prefer to make a cash contribution, this can be done either via Southern California Equestrian Sports (tax deductible) at https://tinyurl.com/ywa7d9w3 or via Venmo @sorensendressage

I'd like to have all auction donations organized by Sunday January 29th to allow the auction to go live in the first week of February.

I've long been grateful to our dressage community and the unique camaraderie of our group. The idea for The Dressage Collective comes from that community support and giving back to each other in times of need. I'm very appreciative of any donations to my auction and I look forward to the creation of The Dressage Collective as a way of giving back to our community.

I have been keeping a blog, as well, in case you're interested in reading more about my story and treatment thus far. https://thereisnostagefive.blogspot.com/

With gratitude and appreciation,

Emily