We're off to a good start – great work, everyone! – but there's still a long way to go, so please share with anyone you think might like to help. Below is a message Rance posted on Facebook late last night. Huge thanks to everyone who's donated so far!

"I've watched my friend, my love, my wife go through a lot. After a trip to the emergency room in April, she has been unable to sit up straight, and unable to walk without a walker or cane. She was told by her Chicago cardiologist (while we lived there) that she should not have surgery with her heart condition. That is why we left the ER in April. Equipped only with a regiment of pain killers we went to the recommended back surgeon and got checked out.

"An MRI showed her 2013 back injury re-herniated. Surgery was needed. But a Chicago doctor told Tara "no" awhile back.

"We tracked down a cardiologist, made appointments, updated meds. He said surgery should be the last resort.

"While trying multiple PT methods, moving with a walker and leaning, and trying to run a theatre, and everything took a toll on my poor love. We went to the ER for her heart. Not being able to walk was keeping her from the exercise to keep her heart as strong as possible. After getting her arteries checked (all clear), she got released...with no clear answer.

"This month, as her back was starting to seem better, as she would randomly stand straight a day here and there. Get pain relief here and there. Something tweaked. Three days later she was stuck in bed. That night she woke in screaming terror.

"At the ER we found out her disc had a 3 cm herniation. It was 10mm in April and THAT made Doctors say it was big then. She needed surgery. After a lot of work getting neurology, cardiology, and anesthesia to coordinate and communicate, they synced up. All the while, the voice of the Chicago doctor saying "no surgeries" floating in her head and stressing her out.

"Early this morning, Dr. Robert Lowes, anesthesiologist, came into the room, knelt by Tara's side, and not only assured her of how he would take care of her, but also how out of line it was for that doctor to put that fear in her.

"Big thanks to all of the RNs and PSAs here (except Tiffany, who sucks and had no right to shh Tara after three failed IV attempts, and DEFINITELY no need to call security after enraging Tara). Big thanks to all of the team members who coordinated to help her. Big thanks to all of The Nest performers for keeping the doors open and crushing their shows. Big thanks to Sarah for taking care of our dogs so I can be with Tara. Big thanks to all of our close family and friends for their thoughts and prayers. Big thanks to the friends of old, friends of friends, one time students, and full out strangers who have sent all the love in the world.

"Today...not 6 hours after surgery, I saw Tara sitting straight up in bed. Sitting!

"Another thing I didn't mentioned. We've done three ER trips. One big surgery. PT to come.

"Tara's insurance lapsed in March because of an auto-pay error. We couldn't get it started back up. All of his has been uninsured. For those of you from other countries that have figured out people are more important than commerce this might be confusing.

"If you can help with this fundraiser, awesome. If you can spread to people who can help, awesome. If we're paying this off for the rest of time, it's already worth just seeing her sit straight up in bed.

"Thank you all so much!"