If you're on facebook and you're "friended" any of the artsy folks downtown, the name Rich Zandlo should ring a bell.
Zandlo suffers from Cystic Fibrosis, a devastating genetic disease that often causes an early death. Individuals who have the disease usually die in their 20's or early 30's, most likely from lung failure.
Zandlo is 38 and, thanks to the help of his family and the arts community, he's now recovering from a double lung transplant (check out his website for more).
Of course, this was no easy feat. Getting proper health care is tough enough even if you have good insurance. Zandlo was relying on Medicare and Medicaid. After months of deteriorating health and constant struggle for proper health care, his romantic partner, Christy (aka Pyra Sutra of Scandalesque) put out a call online for help.
Headed by Kathleen D. Cone of Cone Gallery Arts, the downtown arts community started a letter writing campaign, sending letters to civic leaders about Zandlo's story.
The work paid off and Zandlo received his double lung transplant at St. Joseph's Hospital in early December.
Of course, he and his family could still use help. And Cone Gallery Arts is holding a silent art auction that closes this Friday. All works were donated and can be viewed on the gallery's facebook page. Bids can be made online or at the gallery this Friday, at the closing reception (read here for more info).
Big, big thanks to the downtown arts scene for their rallying power and best wishes to Rich Zandlo!
The closing reception for the Silent Auction Fundraiser for Rich Zandlo is Friday, December 18th from 7-10 p.m. at Cone Gallery Arts, 316 W. McDowell Rd. #100 in Phoenix (part of the Garfield Galleria), 602-261-2657, www.myspace.com/conegallery.
