Pia is a freelance artist and musician based in Berlin. Suffering from heavy endometriosis since some years, her health reached a critical point in August, when she got a severe ovary infection and had to get it surgically removed. A normal rest period following such a surgery should be 3 to 6 weeks.

Unfortunately, being a freelance artist, cancelling a contract often means no remuneration. Even though Pia is insured through KSK, she cannot claim any Krankengeld before six weeks, and even then, it is highly complicated and doesn't actually cover life costs. Therefor, she has been working here and there since the surgery. On orders of the doctor, she also shouldn't lift anything that is more than 3 Kg... quite complicated when you play the cello or the harp, or even just to go grocery shopping.

Last week and this week, Pia has been admitted again to emergency care, with a kidney infection that doesn't react to antibiotics. The doctors can't quite figure out what she has, but it could lead to kidney failure, which is life threatening. By this point the doctors said resting was necessary for minimum three weeks (as in staying in bed and doing NOTHING).

Still then, Pia is afraid to cancel contracts... she doesn't want to let fellow artists and colleagues down, and she also can't afford it.

As artists and freelancers, we know the system is not made for us, but here is where we can support one another. I'm organizing this fundraiser for Pia so she can get one month of proper rest - one she really needs - without the financial pressure. The money will go to cover rent, groceries, transport and medical costs. Anything helps, thank you!