I don't do this for just anyone, but Shana East is one person I am more than willing to ask for your help. She devoted the last two years of her life to political activism on behalf of progressive causes, including working for Bernie Sanders in Chicago, and as the co-founder of The People's Revolution.

She was the driving force behind organizing the successful People's Convention event held in in Philadelphia on July 23, 2016, at which hundreds of activists and Sanders' delegates, as well as ordinary people from across the country, came together in a spirit of cooperation and community to support a progressive agenda for our country and listen to speakers, not the least of whom were Nina Turner and Jill Stein. All this while dealing with a severe autoimmune disorder, which led to a a significant decline in her health, and grave impacts on her personal and financial situation.

Though she is too proud to ask for help, her family and I are not. Here is her story from the GoFundMe page her sister created for her:

We're doing this for my amazing sister Shana.

Shana is a proud person and very private. She is not going to tell you about the very difficult situation she is in. That's why we're doing this for her.

We just learned that she's lost her car. She took it in for a routine oil change and found out that it's rusted out. New fuel lines, brake lines, gas tank and starter mean it will cost more to repair than the car is worth. It's undriveable. Shana needs a new car.

This is a terrible situation for anyone who has the misfortune of having to deal with it. But it is acutely difficult for Shana. In addition to being unemployed, she's dealing with disabilities that make simple tasks like picking up groceries or getting to doctors appointments very difficult. Taking public transportation is practically impossible.

Without a car to get around the city, to make it to job interviews and doctors appointments, Shana's path forward is a dark one.

She's been volunteering for her community full time for more than a year. After sacrificing her time and her body she's struggling with money. There is no way she can afford a new car and thanks to outstanding student debt she can't even take out a loan to pay for one.

We're asking you to help her.

If we can just raise a few thousand dollars to supplement what little she has, she'll be able to afford a used car that will get her through the winter.

Please help her to see that there is a whole community of friends who are there for her. I honestly believe your donations will make all the difference in the world.​

Thank you