Bast’s family has been suffering financially since her father’s death a few years ago. Now, her mother has been diagnosed with lung cancer and COPD, and the medical bills in the past few months have left them short the entire February mortgage payment. Their septic tank has been damaged, and leaks, (see the picture for the actual leak on the surface of their back yard, taken the night this plea was posted).

Bast is unable to work. She has lupus, an immune deficiency disease that deteriorates the joints, causes depression and takes away the sufferer’s ability to fight other illnesses. We kid that Bast never met a germ her lupus didn’t like, but it means a mild cold for most of us is three weeks of suffering flu level symptoms for her. The little dog in the picture is the only thing she has to combat the depression; her home state did not extend the Medicaid use, and as she lives with her mother, she’s expected to pay her own medical bills, or her mother is. She cannot get medicine that would help the pain and crippling of the lupus and the depression. She cannot apply for disability because she can't go to a doctor to get the paperwork.

On an income of about $1100 a month, this family must pay: Mortgage (Over half their income). Medical bills for Bast’s mom not covered by Medicare (The doctors will not treat if you don’t pay the bills Medicare does not cover. The medicine is hundreds a month after Medicare.) Food and non food necessities, such as toilet paper, laundry soap, bath soap, deodorant (Their food stamps are $280 a month for three people. Bast’s daughter lives with them, as well. The average family of three spends two to three times that a month, even when frugal.).

The septic tank, (for those who don’t know, that’s the sewer system. They live on an island, there is no city sewer), is damaged. They’ve been able to stay ahead of the leak with pumping, but that is several hundred dollars each time also, and now, the tank must be repaired. There is a leak putting raw sewage on the lawn surface. The county will fine them and they will lose the house if it is not repaired. It’s a health hazard, and they must limit water use. Imagine no showers, no dish washing, no washing clothing. That is what they face.

Normally, they scrape by month to month, but the medical bills and medicines, as well as needing to pump the tank recently have put them way behind. If they can meet February and get the tank repaired, they have hope of holding on a little longer. If 70 people can give $10, they can meet their mortgage.

Bast will do anything for people. She has helped so many others, so many times, giving time, helped with auctions and fundraisers for others. Now, she needs some help. Please, share what you have.