SWINDA NEEDS YOUR HELP

"SWINDA'S HEART & SOUL"

The Journey Begins

SWINDA and I are reaching out for your help. 

JOIN ME FOR A GOOD FIGHT!

AND SWINDA'S READY TO FIGHT!

SWINDA'S REMOVE THE TUMOR FUND

Swinda Reichelt began her life in East Berlin. She grew up in a very creative environment. Almost everyone around her was involved in Theater, Arts and Film and Swinda was a backstage baby. She began her training as a Costume Designer with one of the top masters in the area. After achieving her Master in Costume Tailoring Swinda began with theater, television and her favorite, Opera!

During this time in East Berlin, Swinda became involved with a small group of people, who would meet once a week and go on peaceful walks through the towns protesting against the East German system. Many of these people (including Swinda) were detained and kept for days in Prisons where they were questioned (interrogated) and then released. These marches grew in numbers over the next several months. Remaining peaceful marches, in Mid-1989 they grew to more than 17,000,000 strong.

The Wall Came Down!

After the wall came down in 1989, Swinda decided it was time to spread her wings and was invited to North America by a friend. After a year and a half, Swinda returned to Berlin, where she was diagnosed with Stage 5 Cervical Cancer that was spreading quickly. After surgery and chemotherapy treatments, Swinda Won! and beat off the monster that was spreading inside of her.

After her life changing episode, Swinda also noticed that there were changes occurring in her homeland that was affecting the entire country, the culture she grew up with was being taken over and swallowed up by the west. Swinda wanted to see a change, but one that would create more opportunities for the people. Instead, factories were closed, properties were lost and people were forced to relocate. Swinda decided to returned to North America in 1999 and began a new chapter in her life.

Over the next few years, Swinda struggled with new surroundings, a new marriage and a new language, but her mastery talent and magical creations spoke a universal language. In her first ten years, she had achieved many successful accomplishments while creating loyal friends and followers that always expressed delight in her work and personality. Working with well known actors on feature films, creating costumes for various theater productions (including "The Bacchae" in the Getty Museum), dance and music videos or taking on a challenging costume and wardrobe department for television series, no task was too large for Swinda. Swinda met D. Alan Cooksey on the set of a Television series and another chapter in her life begins.

The Doctor Despite Himself (Best Costume Nominee)

When Swinda was nominated as Best Costume Designer of the Year, and not long after she was asked to work with Maestro James Conlan and Placido Domingo on a special project with the Los Angeles Opera, her dream was answered (her love of the Opera). Designing some of her most spectacular creations, Swinda was given free reign over all of these productions and performances. Everyone from her co-workers, cast and crew, audiences and Maestro Conlon were in complete awe of Swinda's work. Even Placido Domingo entered backstage after a performance, got down on one knee and kissed Swinda's hand. Reporters and Publications began reaching out to Swinda for interviews. The LA Times, LA Weekly, VS Magazine, FantasticMag, Huffington Post and even a mention in the Washington Post.

Swinda and Maestro James Conlon (LA Opera)

More Theater Productions, Commercials and Independent Feature films over the next several years starting piling up Back-to-Back, with out a real vacation in years, a new adventure was on the horizon.

Swinda and Alan were approached with an opportunity to join a team of individuals on a Research Vessel from Los Angeles to Costa Rica on a mission to expose illegal fishing operations in Isla de Cocos. During the trip down the Eastern Pacific coast of Mexico, several issues onboard began to take its toll on Swinda and Alan. After more than two months of living on the boat, an un-scheduled stop in Huatulco, Mexico made for a perfect opportunity to leave.

Swinda and Alan were welcomed to Huatulco with open arms. A small community town in southern Mexico with the charm of old Mexico. The native people are very amazing and the ex-pats from Canada, US and Europe really know how to make you feel at home. Excellent Food, accommodations, entertainment and many new friends, plus the cost of living, makes Huatulco a real diamond in the rough.

During this time of real relaxation, Swinda began noticing something was going on inside of her. After several weeks of discomfort, one of our new friends in Huatulco introduced us to her doctor in town. After a full check-up and ultra-sound, Swinda was diagnosed with an endometrial tumor on the uterus.

We started doing research on Medical options. Calls where made to the United States and we soon discovered that surgery and treatment (without medical insurance) could run into the hundreds of thousands of dollars. Applying for ObamaCare still didn't leave many options, the costs would still exceed thirty to fifty-thousand dollars, just for the first stage of the procedures. With the expectation of biopsy and further exams, could drive the insured costs over sixty-thousand dollars.

Even though Huatulco has become the new paradise. The medical capabilities are quite limited. Swinda received a referral to Oaxaca City, which is about 5 hours away in the mountains. But another miracle appeared. Swinda found that she has a relative living in Northern Mexico.

Hermosillo Mexico is the Silicon Valley of Mexico, several large corporations are based there (Ford, INTEL, NASA, etc...) employing not only US citizens but has created many new jobs for Mexico. Along with the growing population of Hermosillo over the past few years, the need for a proper medical facility allowed for a new State-of-the-Art Hospital and some of the top doctors in the country. We were referred to the specialist, the exam, a description of Swinda's medical history and ultra-sounds were forwarded to the Doctor. The cost of the surgery will be around ten-thousand dollars, plus the cost of recovery. The cost of post surgery and the results of more test to determine how much has spread and further treatments could add to the expenses.

Swinda is ready for the fight! I will be holding her hand and fighting along side of her! But we need some help. Financially as well as emotionally. Please join us! Follow the continuing journey and help be a part of the "Road to Recovery."

What? A Tumor?

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JOIN ME FOR THE FIGHT!

SWINDA REMOVE THE TUMOR FUND