Help Sandra Kick Cancer

Sandra Bilawich, Vancouver Artist/Sculptor and long-time participant in the Eastside Culture Crawl, has recently been diagnosed with invasive breast cancer. She is undergoing surgery & will face chemo, radiation and hormone treatments over the next months. Like many artists in Vancouver, Sandra’s income has been affected by the pandemic over the last year.  And, as an artist whose work is physically demanding (working with metal & stone, welding, grinding, hauling) she will not be able to work for at least the next 4-6 months. Yet she still needs to cover studio costs, utilities, and life essentials during this difficult time.  As a single woman she has no financial back-up to help her through this, so neighbours and friends have banded together to set up this GoFundMe to help her through this time. Let her know she is not alone.

We realize that current times are challenging for everyone. If you can’t donate, sharing this page or sending out positive thoughts and optimism will also help immensely. If you can donate, thank you! This will help Sandra focus her energy on the health challenge ahead rather than worry about immediate finances.

Sandra is a fiercely independent woman, and agreeing to let us ask for support has not been an easy decision for her. But she realizes that the next few months will require the love and support of family, friends and the community. If you know Sandra, you also know that she is generous, loving and gives to others without a second thought.  Now it’s time that we do the same for her.

We will provide regular updates as Sandra faces each hurdle--thank you for your support.

More about Sandra

Sandra Bilawich. Sculptor. Artist. Self Employed. Business Owner. Daughter. Friend. Sister. Aunt. Niece. Cousin. Single. Burning Man Enthusiast. Fearless Feminist.  Breast Cancer Warrior.

Sandra’s Studio is “Elemental Designs” (http://www.elementaldesigns.org/) and has been a beloved part of the EastSide Culture Crawl for over a decade. Her work with metal & stone involves welding, hammering, chiseling, grinding, polishing and hauling, all physically demanding and dirty work requiring a lot of body strength.  She loves the physicality of her art and her work is both bold and beautiful.

Since diagnosis after a routine mammogram in February, things have unfolded very quickly and it has been somewhat overwhelming for Sandra.  She had extensive surgery on April 27 and is recovering from that before further treatments.  Sandra is tired and obviously stressed but she is strong-willed and courageous and is mentally preparing to face the next number of months fighting this disease.