The loss of a spouse or life partner is a devastating event, in and of itself. But for one local Marin County woman, Tika Hick, this is only a chapter of her nightmare. We all know that life can toss out curve balls but sometimes it can feel like being pelted by a baseball pitching machine set on high. It is my hope that you will join me in wrapping your arms around this woman and her infant son. I do not personally know Tika but I know many who do and I’m deeply moved and saddened by her story.
Battling breast cancer with a new baby boy, she had the loving support of her boyfriend, David Potts. While money was tight, they were making it work. To lift her spirits a friend gave them a trip to Hawaii for one last bit of joy before she was to undergo a double mastectomy.
While hiking with Tika’s brother at Nakalele Point in Hawaii, David was swept into a blow hole and after days of searching, has been pronounced dead. Tika now faces cancer, the loss of her life partner and father of her child, raising her son alone and incredible financial strain.
Last night many of us gathered an event sponsored by A Band of Wives in Mill Valley, where this situation was discussed. There was a table with photos of Tika after her cancer diagnosis, with her head recently shaved in preparation for chemo (still radiating positivity through a smile that can light up any room) and her baby boy, sharply dressed with suspenders and a newsboy-style hat. Many are enfolding this woman and reaching out to provide what she needs – which apparently are the basics, like diapers and food now that her husband can no longer financially provide via his contracting business.
This woman must say goodbye to her partner (whose body was never found) and undergo a double mastectomy simultaneously (scheduled for July 20th) – while caring for her baby.
If any of you are as touched by this story as I am – please donate anything you can to this embattled family who are clearly in survival mode at every conceivable level.
There are two ways to help:
or
Send check payable to "Tika Hick" to:
Bank of Marin
Att: Matt Johnson
501 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, Suite 100
Greenbrae, CA 94904
**UPDATE: See this recent interview by Michael Franti with Tika Hick, her story in her words: http://michaelfranti.com/media/videos/frantiv-help-tika-see-story-tika-hick-see-below-help-tika
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